KUALA LUMPUR — Air quality across Malaysia deteriorated further this afternoon, with nine monitoring stations breaching the critical Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 180 as of 2pm, up from seven this morning, according to the Department of Environment (DOE).

Seremban remained the worst-affected location nationwide, climbing to 189 from 186 earlier in the day. Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded the steepest surge, jumping nine points from 179 to 188.

Bukit Rambai in Melaka followed closely at 187, while Segamat and Tangkak in Johor both recorded 184. Tasek Ipoh in Perak and peat fire hotspot Johan Setia in Selangor were tied at 183, with Nilai in Negeri Sembilan and Bandaraya Melaka both standing at 182.

Alor Gajah in Melaka and Larkin in Johor hovered right at the threshold, registering 180 each.

Nationwide, 37 out of 68 stations logged unhealthy air quality (API 101 to 200), 31 recorded moderate levels, and none registered in the good or very unhealthy categories.

The total number of unhealthy stations dipped by one compared to the morning after Balok Baru Kuantan, which previously held the lowest unhealthy reading at 107, exited the bracket.