Transboundary haze: School closures, cloud seeding part of action plan
DoE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the activation of the plans would allow for early enforcement and monitoring, following the re-emergence of hotspots both domestically and abroad.
He said the National Haze Action Plan provides for a range of responses based on the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, including the activation of the National Disaster Management Committee by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) if the API exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours.
"Schools, kindergartens and nurseries will be closed immediately if the API exceeds 200, while early preparations will be made if readings show an increasing trend towards that level.
"In addition, cloud seeding operations (OPA) will be carried out if the API remains above 150 for over 24 hours, subject to the availability of clouds and suitable weather conditions," he said today.
As of July 23, monitoring by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) detected 91 hotspots in Kalimantan, 42 in Sumatra, and 13 within Malaysia including 11 in Sarawak and one in Pahang and Terengganu.
"The Regional Haze Map released by ASMC on July 24 showed that dry weather continues across most parts of Southeast Asia, except for a few areas in northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia which experienced rainfall," he added.
Wan Abdul Latiff said satellite imagery indicated the presence of localised smoke plumes originating from hotspots in central and southern Sumatra, western and southern Kalimantan, and Sarawak.
"Accordingly, the DoE has intensified patrols and enforcement in high-risk areas and continues to monitor API readings closely," he said.
He also urged all landowners to closely monitor their premises to prevent trespassing or any activities that could trigger open burning, whether intentional or not.
"At the same time, the DoE advises the public to comply with directives and restrictions during haze episodes, including refraining from open burning that could worsen air quality.
"Anyone found guilty of open burning can be prosecuted under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which carries a maximum fine of RM1 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both," he said.
He added that compounds of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may also be issued for each offence.
Abdul Latiff also encouraged the public to extinguish small fires when possible and to immediately report any incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or to the DoE at 1-800-88-2727.
"Real-time API readings are available on https://eqms.doe.gov.my/APIMS/main) or via the MyJAS EQMS app on Google Play and the App Store.
www.moh.gov.my," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 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.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
‘Water bombing' measure deployed to fight wildfires
MUKAH: Wildfires raging in plantations and jungles in Mukah, Sarawak surged beyond 110ha in size as of yesterday morning. Aerial water bombing by the Fire and Rescue Department Air Wing Unit was carried out and reduced hotspots to 75ha at noon. Ashes from the blaze are causing widespread air pollution. The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board said the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Mukah hit the 160 unhealthy mark yesterday morning, with the district enveloped in haze. 'The Mukah population have been advised to stop outdoor activities and use face masks at all times,' the board said, adding that firefighters have been deployed and are using aerial tactics to contain the wildfires. The Fire and Rescue Department said it has deployed helicopters with water bombing capabilities to douse the Mukah fire. 'Our helicopters can carry out up to 15 aerial sorties. However, the fire is spreading closer to the Mukah Airport runway and into the Universiti Teknologi Mara Mukah campus, threatening the people there. 'Aerial water bombings are in full swing and our ground teams are trying to use total flooding methods.' The Marudi district is also seeing an inferno raging in plantations, firefighters in Kota Samarahan in southern Sarawak are battling a landfill blaze and teams in Serian district are fighting another fire in Kampung Danau. Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Dougglas Uggah said the state is on red alert for wildfires and haze, as well as water shortages in numerous interior districts caused by worsening drought. On Wednesday, Bakelalan state assemblyman Baru Bian confirmed that thousands of people living in eight localities in his constituency along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border had run out of drinking water due to weeks of drought. Bian is liaising with state government authorities to arrange emergency water supply delivery for his remote constituency. Bakelalan constituency, which stretches from the Lawas district to the Kalimantan border, has a total population of about 50,000 people.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak mulls cloud seeding as dry spell triggers fires, water issues
Uggah (right) addresses the media at the press conference while Buckland looks on. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 31): The Sarawak government is considering cloud seeding among several measures to mitigate the prolonged dry and hot weather, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah, who also chairs the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), said the committee had been briefed by relevant agencies on the state's weather conditions and disaster preparedness. 'We are looking at all possible options to reduce the impact. Cloud seeding is not a simple process – it requires the presence of cloud moisture. 'Without that, we are just releasing salt into dry air, and that will not produce rain,' he told a press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today. Asked whether cloud seeding could begin if the hot spell continues another week, Uggah said timing alone was not the key factor. 'It's not just about how hot or how long the dry spell lasts – there must be clouds to seed. On days like today, if there are no clouds, then cloud seeding simply cannot happen,' he added. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) Sarawak, and the Social Welfare Department. Uggah said several agencies had shared updates on the state's preparedness, especially in handling fire incidents and water supply issues triggered by the dry spell. 'Right now, Sarawak is experiencing hot and dry conditions. The consequences include fires and water shortages,' he said. He noted that several areas had recently experienced fires, including Kuala Baram, Mukah, Marudi and Kota Samarahan. 'Fortunately, the fire in Mukah, which affected 56 hectares of land, was followed by heavy rainfall this morning. 'We hope that it helped in extinguishing it,' he said, adding most of the fires occurred in peat areas, which are highly flammable when dry. To enhance early detection, NREB has been instructed to deploy drones for fire surveillance. 'We have also told the committee in Kuala Baram to maintain the tube wells and water towers built for fire prevention purposes,' he added. The government, he said, has also enforced a total ban on open burning, including in plantation areas. 'NREB had previously issued permits, but those were revoked two weeks ago. Now, all open burning is prohibited,' he stressed. He urged members of the public and landowners to remain vigilant and report any signs of fire or hotspots immediately to the NREB or the respective resident offices. As of today, Sarawak has recorded 220 hotspots, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) only registering Mukah at an unhealthy level of 160. Other parts of the state remain within healthy levels. Also present at the press conference was Deputy State Secretary Datu Buckland Bangik. coud seeding Douglas Uggah dry spell
