PETALING JAYA: Two areas in the country have recorded unhealthy air quality, while 60 others nationwide are experiencing moderate levels.

According to the Environment Department's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), as of 12.33pm on Sunday (July 27), Miri registered the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 131, followed by Cheras at 118.

On Saturday (July 26), Johan Setia in Selangor and Kuching in Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings of 151 and 116 respectively. However, the air quality has since improved to 83 and 79.

Sixty monitoring stations across Selangor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, Labuan, Penang, Malacca, Kedah and Kelantan reported moderate air quality.

Among these, Petaling Jaya recorded the highest API at 87, while Sandakan and Kota Tinggi registered the lowest at 51.

On the API scale, 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous).

Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported that dry conditions continue to affect the southern Asean region, raising concerns over potential trans-boundary haze, particularly from Indonesia.

Dry conditions are forecast to persist over much of South-East Asia, with some showers expected in parts of Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan.

Rainfall may temporarily ease the situation, hotspots and smoke haze are still likely to occur in drier areas.

Prevailing winds in the southern region are expected to blow from the southeast to south, which may contribute to the spread of trans-boundary haze.