States in the thick of it

The Star

7 days ago

PETALING JAYA: Five locations recorded unhealthy air quality as of 3pm yesterday, according to the Environment Department (DOE).
They are Nilai, Negri Sembilan, with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 162, Banting and Johan Setia in Selangor with readings of 154, Putrajaya (139) and Alor Gajah, Melaka (110).
In addition, 57 areas across the country recorded moderate air quality levels, while six areas were reported to have good air quality.
An API reading of 0-50 is categorised as good; 51-100 as moderate; 101-200 as unhealthy; 201-300 as very unhealthy; and anything above 300 is hazardous.
DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffa said yesterday's deterioration in air quality was caused by haze drifting into Malaysia over the past 24 hours.
'No large scale fires have been detected within the country so far,' he said in a statement.
According to a July 19 report issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre in Singa­pore, satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmo­sphe­ric Administration showed the presence of 65 hotspots in Sumatra, 30 in Kalimantan and four in Malaysia – with two each in Pahang and Selangor.
'Dry conditions were reported across the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands and southern Kaliman­tan,' Wan Abdul Latiff said.
'Isolated hotspots were detec­ted in Sumatra, while a number of hotspots were also observed in Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan, Vietnam and Thailand.
'The DOE has stepped up enforcement operations and daily patrols in areas that are prone to open burning and continues to monitor API readings nationwide.'
Wan Abdul Latiff said the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have both been activated to coordinate government agency efforts in tackling open burning and addressing the haze.
Landowners have been urged to closely monitor areas under their care, especially locations that are frequently affected by fires such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultu­ral zones and industrial sites.
'They are advised to take precautionary measures to prevent trespassing by irresponsible ­parties that could lead to either intentional or accidental open burning,' he said.
He said that under the National Haze Action Plan, the National Disaster Management Agency will activate disaster management committees at the district, state or federal level when the API remains above 150 for more than 24 hours.
'All outdoor school activities must be suspended when the API exceeds 100. Schools, kindergartens and childcare centres are to be closed immediately if the API exceeds 200,' he said.
According to Wan Abdul Latiff, cloud seeding operations will be carried out if weather conditions are suitable and the API remains above 150 for more than 24 hours.