THE Environment Department (DOE) will carry out cloud seeding if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, remains at unhealthy levels above 150 by 5pm, New Straits Times reported.

Its director-general, Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar, said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will activate the Disaster Management Committee at the district, state, or central level when the API reading exceeds 150 for a period of more than 24 hours.

However, he told the English-language daily that seeding could only be carried out if clouds are present and there is suitable weather in the area.

Cheras remains one of the areas with the unhealthiest API readings, with its peak reaching 165, the nation’s highest in the past few days.

A check on the Air Pollutant Index Management System (Apims) website showed there were three areas that continue to record unhealthy API readings: Nilai at 156, Cheras at 155 and Seremban at 115 as at 5pm.

A reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 300 and above (hazardous).

API readings have improved significantly today compared to yesterday, where 16 localities from nine states recorded unhealthy levels.

As of 9am today, 60 stations throughout the country recorded moderate API levels while three had good readings. – October 3, 2023.