logo
Only Kuala Selangor Records Unhealthy API Reading

Only Kuala Selangor Records Unhealthy API Reading

Barnama24-07-2025
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- Only Kuala Selangor recorded an unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) reading as of 3 pm this afternoon, believed to be affected by transboundary haze, said Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar.
In a statement today, he said the Department of Environment's (DOE) API reading recorded two areas having good air quality status while 64 areas recorded moderate air quality status.
"The deterioration in air quality in the affected areas is still affected by transboundary haze. There have been no major fires that could cause local haze," he said.
Based on a report by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) based in Singapore yesterday, Wan Abdul Latif said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 20 satellite images found that there were 42 hotspots detected in Sumatra and 91 hotspots detected in Kalimantan.
Apart from that, he said, there were 13 hot spots detected in the country, 11 in Sarawak and one each in Pahang and Terengganu.
"DOE has increased enforcement and daily patrol activities to areas with potential for open burning activities as well as monitoring API readings from time to time," he said.
He said the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) had been activated to coordinate the actions of government agencies in addressing the issue of open burning and facing the national haze situation.
"All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas that are prone to catch fire such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural and industrial areas.
"Landowners are also asked to take steps to prevent encroachment by irresponsible parties that cause open burning either for specific purposes or accidentally," he said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

3,293 flood-affected households in Penampang receive aid
3,293 flood-affected households in Penampang receive aid

Borneo Post

timea day ago

  • Borneo Post

3,293 flood-affected households in Penampang receive aid

Flood victims receiving aid at KDCA on Wednesday. – Bernama photo PENAMPANG (Aug 6): A total of 3,293 heads of household (KIR) affected by the floods in Penampang district between June 30 and July last year have received compassionate aid (Bantuan Wang Ihsan – BWI), disbursed through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that the distribution of aid amounting to over RM3 million is being carried out in stages starting Wednesday until Friday, in collaboration with the Penampang District Council (MPPg), held at the KDCA Hall, Penampang. 'This aid can never fully replace the losses, trauma and exhaustion experienced, but it reflects the commitment of various parties to assist residents affected by the floods. 'It is the result of collaborative efforts across agencies, from leaders to civil servants in numerous ministries, agencies, and departments, to ensure the funds are properly allocated and delivered to the affected households,' he said. He said this when met by reporters after officiating the aid handover ceremony at KDCA Hall on Wednesday. Ewon said several initiatives have been implemented and are ongoing to strengthen disaster management and reduce the impact of flooding in the Penampang district. 'These include the installation of early warning systems in the form of sirens in several frequently affected villages such as Kampung Kodundungan, Nambazan, Penampang Proper, Putaton, Kolopis and Sugud. 'This measure aims to provide earlier alerts to residents to prepare for any eventuality,' he said. He added that 21 buildings, including schools, community halls and churches in high-risk areas, are being proposed for gazettement as temporary evacuation centres. He also stressed the importance of the ongoing flood mitigation projects under Package 1 and Package 3, and stated that follow-up projects are also being planned to support these efforts. At the same time, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, together with MPPg, continues to carry out river and drainage maintenance works as a long-term measure to reduce the risk of recurring floods. 'I hope that with all these efforts, including support from all relevant stakeholders, we can prevent severe flood disasters like those that have occurred in the past,' he said.

Unusually hot weather: Cloud seeding operations implemented to deal with critical water level at dams
Unusually hot weather: Cloud seeding operations implemented to deal with critical water level at dams

The Star

time3 days ago

  • The Star

Unusually hot weather: Cloud seeding operations implemented to deal with critical water level at dams

SUBANG: Five locations across the country experienced unusually hot temperatures for three consecutive days since Aug 1. The situation raised concerns about the water levels, public health and the economy in rural communities. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that in areas such as Bandar Baharu in Kedah, Selama (Perak), Temerloh (Pahang), Limbang (Sarawak), as well as Tenom and Pitas in Sabah, temperatures ranged between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, reported Sinar Harian. He said that, given the situation, the government has implemented a Cloud Seeding Operation (OPA) in the Bukit Merah Dam area, Gunung Semanggol, Perak, whose water level was at a critical level. According to him, the water reservoir level in the dam was only 12.21% or 19.80 feet. "I, along with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director general, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director general and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) have participated in this operation using a Charlie C-130 aircraft carrying approximately 6,000 litres of sodium chloride solution. "The solution was sprayed on the towering cumulus clouds at an altitude of between 5,000 and 8,000 feet and within 45 minutes after spraying, heavy rain had occurred in the target area," he said at a press conference at RMAF Air Base Subang, on Monday (Aug 4). "Bukit Merah Dam is not just a domestic water supplier but also supports agricultural, fishing, tourism and flood mitigation activities. "If not dealt with immediately, this crisis could affect the food supply chain, the income of rural residents as well as the balance of the ecosystem," said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee. He said the extremely hot weather also increases the risk of haze due to forest fires. "Air Pollution Index (API) readings have increased in some areas, and this has an impact on health, especially to those at risk such as children, the elderly and respiratory patients," he said. He further commented that cloud seeding operations might also be carried out in other regions based on the monitoring by technical agencies, even if the state government does not explicitly request it. "We don't just wait for requests. If a water source is at a critical level of 30% or below, cloud seeding will continue to be implemented proactively. "In addition, the fire department has also been on standby with more than 3,300 tube wells in peatland areas to prevent forest fires due to extreme heat," he said. He explained that the Southwest Monsoon was expected to continue until mid-October and all related agencies have been instructed to prepare for any eventuality. "I ask the Health Department, MetMalaysia and Nadma always to share information with the public. "At the same time, extracurricular activities at school must also be coordinated with the District Education Office to prevent health risks to students," he said.

Rising API, spreading fires put Sarawak on high alert
Rising API, spreading fires put Sarawak on high alert

The Sun

time4 days ago

  • The Sun

Rising API, spreading fires put Sarawak on high alert

KUCHING: A massive peatland fire in northern Sarawak has entered its ninth day, with more than 76ha still burning in the Marudi district, threatening nearby agricultural estates and forest reserves. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department confirmed yesterday that firefighters remain on the ground, battling the blaze with water jets as it spreads through peat-rich forest and plantation areas. 'Today is the ninth day of the Marudi fire. The latest estimate is 76.72ha are still burning,' the department said in a statement. The fire began in a pineapple and oil palm plantation near Logan Unga, located along the Marudi–Miri road, about 60km inland from Miri. Last week, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Marudi surged beyond the unhealthy level of 154 due to the blaze. The Marudi fire is one of several active hotspots across Sarawak, which has been on red alert for haze and wildfires for over two weeks. Firefighters have been working around the clock to contain dozens of ground fires across the state. In Kota Samarahan, a landfill fire continues to burn across three hectares, while additional hotspots – covering 5ha collectively – were reported in Sarikei, Sibu and Betong. In Kuala Baram, just 25km from Miri, a peat fire erupted four days ago near the Pan Borneo Highway, close to the Sarawak–Brunei border. At its peak, the fire engulfed 16ha before being extinguished using the total flooding method. To put the scale into perspective, a single hectare is roughly equivalent to 2.5 acres or more than two football fields. Fires of this size can be detected by satellites as red hotspots on orbiting imagery. State disaster management committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said on Thursday that 220 hotspots had been recorded across Sarawak in the past two weeks. In response, the department's Air Wing has carried out aerial water bombings in Mukah and Marudi, where thick vegetation, dry conditions and inaccessible terrain have hampered ground efforts. Authorities continue to urge the public to refrain from open burning, warning that dry weather and combustible peat soil significantly increase the risk of fast-spreading fires and haze.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store