Malaysia closes schools as Indonesian fire smoke worsens regional air quality

Malaysia closed schools in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and several states because smoke from Indonesian forest fires pushed air pollution to unhealthy levels. The closures affected roughly two million students as Kuala Lumpur's Air Pollutant Index reached about 170. Singapore also recorded very unhealthy air quality, and Malaysia's prime minister said he had asked Indonesia to take action while seeking an ASEAN environment ministers' meeting.

"Malaysia shut schools in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and five states, affecting roughly two million pupils. The capital’s air-quality index was near 170, while Singapore’s conditions were rated very unhealthy by IQAir. National thresholds classify readings above 100 as unhealthy, above 200 as very unhealthy, above 300 as hazardous, and above 500 as grounds for a local emergency. The king set closures at 150, and the education minister promised earlier notice."

Count: Malaysia1 shut2 schools3 in4 Kuala5 Lumpur6 Putrajaya7 and8 five9 states10 affecting11 roughly12 two13 million14 pupils15. The16 capital’s17 air-quality18 index19 was20 near21 17022 while23 Singapore’s24 conditions25 were26 rated27 very28 unhealthy29 by30 IQAir31. National32 thresholds33 classify34 readings35 above36 10037 as38 unhealthy39 above40 20041 as42 very43 unhealthy44 above45 30046 as47 hazardous48 and49 above50 50051 as52 grounds53 for54 a55 local56 emergency57. The58 king59 set60 closures61 at62 15063 and64 the65 education66 minister67 promised68 earlier69 notice70. 70.

Second:

"Indonesia’s dry-season fires followed warnings that El Nino could worsen burning. Six provinces were affected, at least 200,000 hectares burned, and more than 170,000 respiratory infections were recorded, with actual cases possibly higher. Singapore’s Formula One weekend organizers planned to race with masks and extra medics."

Count: Indonesia’s1 dry-season2 fires3 followed4 warnings5 that6 El7 Nino8 could9 worsen10 burning11.