The air quality in Melaka City returns to unhealthy level as at 1pm today with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 104 compared to 92 at 9am today.

According to the Department of Environment's (DOE) portal, 11 areas still recorded unhealthy API readings, namely, Sri Aman (160), Kuching (147), Samarahan (145), Sarikei (142), Sibu (132), Kapit (118), Tawau (118), Balok Baru, Kuantan (117), Kemaman (117), Paka (112) and Shah Alam (103).

The areas of Indera Mahkota and Kuala Terengganu recorded moderate API readings at 94 and 98, respectively, compared to an unhealthy reading of 102 this morning.

Meanwhile, 31 other areas also recorded moderate API readings including Bukit Rambai (98), Bintulu (98), Jerantut (94), Indera Mahkota (94), Muar (93), Petaling Jaya (93), Banting (88), Cheras (88), Pasir Gudang (87), Larkin Lama (83), Batu Muda (82), Nilai (78) and Kuala Selangor (72).

The three-day cloud seeding operation, which began yesterday, continued today with focus given on northern areas of Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Klang Valley and south and west of Sarawak.

Two Hercules C130 aircraft belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force based in Subang and Kuching were used in the operation.

The API is categorised as good (0 to 50), moderate (51 to 100), unhealthy (101 to 200), very unhealthy (201 to 300) and hazardous (300 and above).

The public could refer to the portal http://apims.doe.gov.my to find out about the current API readings.