KUALA LUMPUR: A total 173 schools in the city were ordered to close today following the worsening haze situation.

Federal Territory Education Department in two separate statements said the temporary closure, involving 125,266 students, was made after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading reached over 200 in the respective areas.

Among the affected schools were SK Bukit Bandaraya, SK Bangsar, SK Bandar Baru Petaling, SJK(C) Tai Thung, SJK(C) Choong Wen, SMK Taman Desa, SK (L) Jalan Batu, SK Batu Muda, SK La Salle (1), SK Menjalara, SMK Keramat Wangsa, SK Datok Keramat and SK Jalan Raja Muda.