The haze over Banting worsened at 5pm to an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 317, from 294 at noon today, and 318 this morning.

The API in Port Klang remained at the hazardous level at 5pm, with an API reading of 352 at 7am, 304 at noon and 317 at 5pm.

Meanwhile, 12 areas with unhealthy API were Malacca city (113), Bukit Rambai (120), Nilai (138), Port Dickson (146), Seremban (130), Tanjung Malim (110), Kuala Selangor (119), Petaling Jaya (174), Shah Alam (162), Batu Muda (149), Cheras (128), and Putrajaya (140).

There were 18 areas with moderate API and 18 areas with good API reading.

Schools in Klang, Kuala Langat closed

Yesterday, Port Klang recorded very unhealthy levels, prompting state education officers to direct schools in the district to close today.

Port Klang was classified as hazardous at 9 last night, with an API reading of 307, while the air over Banting hit 309 at midnight.

In Shah Alam this morning, the Selangor Education Department ordered all the 71 schools in the Kuala Langat district to close today due to the haze, besides the 131 schools in the Klang district.

State Education director Mahmud Karim said the standard operating procedure was for schools to close when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeded 200, meaning air quality was at the 'very unhealthy' level.