Kuala Lumpur becomes world’s most polluted major city as Indonesian wildfire chokes region

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur emerged as the world’s most polluted major city on Wednesday, while Singapore ranked third, as smoke from wildfires in neighbouring Indonesia continued to affect air quality across the region.

A thick haze has covered both cities for more than a month, with smoke from fires on Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra islands drifting across borders.

According to Swiss air-quality monitor IQAir, Kuala Lumpur recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 166 early Wednesday, placing it at the top of the global pollution ranking. Singapore followed in third place with an AQI of 155. AQI readings above 150 are considered unhealthy, while levels exceeding 300 are classified as hazardous, AFP reported.

Residents said the prolonged haze was affecting both health and visibility. A recent graduate in Kuala Lumpur said the poor air quality had become a concern for people’s health, while another resident described uncertainty over when the situation would improve, noting that the fires were part of a natural disaster.

Although transboundary haze is a recurring issue in Southeast Asia, this year it has been particularly intense. Hot and dry weather associated with El Niño has contributed to the spread of fires in Indonesia. Land-clearing activities have also been linked to some of the blazes, making them more difficult to control.

In Singapore, an 18-year-old student with allergic rhinitis said the haze had forced him to cut back on outdoor sports. A 69-year-old retired resident said she had been less affected because she spent most of her time indoors, leaving home mainly to buy groceries and attend prayers at a mosque.

She added that her granddaughter, who suffers from eczema, had experienced greater difficulties because of the deteriorating air quality.