Latest news with #API
The Star
5 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Kuantan landfill fire under control
KUANTAN: The fire at the Jerangau-Jabor landfill in Mukim Sungai Karang here, which broke out yesterday, was brought under control at about 5.30 pm on Monday (July 21). Gebeng Fire and Rescue Station chief Zahidah Ali said monitoring efforts are still ongoing, with 12 personnel stationed at the scene on Monday night. "The affected area is now only filled with smoke, and work to cover the burning rubbish with soil will continue to prevent thick ash from escaping the rubbish heap. "The work will be carried out by the contractor until late tonight and the fire brigade will continue to monitor the location," she said in a statement. Zahidah informed that the extinguishing operation involving an area of about one hectare began after the team received an emergency call at 3.46pm on Sunday (July 20), arriving at the scene about 10 minutes later. Earlier, the Department of Environment reported that the fire at the landfill had caused unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Balok Baru, Kuantan and Kemaman in Terengganu. – Bernama
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Barnama
Sarawak May Face Haze If Biomass Burning Outside State Intensifies
GENERAL KUCHING, July 21 (Bernama) -- Sarawak may experience haze in the coming days or weeks if biomass burning continues to intensify beyond the state's borders, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak. In a statement today, NREB said the state's ambient air quality has shown a rising trend in Air Pollutant Index (API) readings since July 19, and as of 8 am today, 15 areas recorded API readings in the moderate category, while three areas were in the good category. 'No areas have recorded API readings in the unhealthy category so far,' the statement said, adding that the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre reported four hotspots detected in Sarawak between July 14 and yesterday. However, during the same period, 114 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, Indonesia, with 93 of them recorded in the last two days, on July 19 and 20. 'Given that the country is currently in the southwest monsoon phase, which began on May 10 and is expected to end in September 2025, the region will experience consistent winds from the southwest. 'This condition may lead to potential transboundary haze and deterioration of ambient air quality in Sarawak,' it said. To address the situation, NREB has activated its haze operations room, conducted field patrols, suspended the issuance of controlled burning permits, and issued notices prohibiting open burning to all project developers. It has also carried out awareness programmes on the ban of open burning with other agencies to ensure air quality is maintained. In addition, it urged all parties to take joint responsibility in addressing the causes and reducing the risk of haze. 'The public is also advised to take precautions during this hot and dry period, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities and wearing face masks (N95 respirators) when engaging in outdoor activities, especially high-risk groups,' the statement said.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Authorities warn against open burning amid rising API readings in Pahang
KUANTAN: The public is reminded not to carry out open burning to avoid further deterioration in air quality, in the wake of worsening Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at two monitoring stations in Pahang. As of 6pm, the API readings in Temerloh and Balok Baru were both recorded at 152, compared to 100 and 75, respectively, yesterday. Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman, Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff, said the current hot and dry weather could exacerbate the haze affecting the state. "Due to the hot weather, the public, especially plantation workers, must refrain from conducting open burning. In the past, there were incidents where anglers discarded cigarette butts in forested areas, sparking fires. "Peat and bush fires occur almost every year, so there are some concerns that similar incidents may happen again. Therefore, we must take all necessary precautions," he told reporters after presenting 'Inisiatif Makmur Pahang' aid at Kampung Padang Garuda here today. Fakhruddin was commenting on the deteriorating air quality reported at the two API monitoring stations in Pahang earlier today. Meanwhile, he said the Department of Environment would step up monitoring and patrols to prevent open burning, and offenders might face action under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. On the potential closure of schools, Fakhruddin said premises would be ordered to shut down if the haze situation reached a 'very unhealthy' API level. "To my knowledge, the government will issue closure instructions once the air quality reaches a critical level," he said.
Barnama
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Barnama
Haze: Melaka Gov't Activates District Disaster Management Committees With Immediate Effect
MELAKA, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government, through the State Disaster Management Committee, has instructed that all District Disaster Management Committees be activated with immediate effect after several states in the country were affected by haze recently. The Melaka Chief Minister's Department's corporate communications division also said that the committees were required to take proactive measures according to guidelines set by the National Haze Action Plan. 'The Melaka government takes note of the haze that has hit several areas in the state, which is believed to be cross-border haze carried by south-westerly winds. 'Continuous monitoring of the Air Pollution Index (API) is being conducted by the Melaka Diaster Operations Control Centre with the help of the Melaka Environment Department (DOE) and the National Disaster Control Centre under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA),' the department said in a statement today. The highest API readings recorded in Melaka as of 2 am were Alor Gajah (Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 with a reading of 157), Bukit Rambai (PM2.5 with a reading of 94) and Bandaraya Melaka (PM2.5 with a reading of 86), indicating that Alor Gajah API was at unhealthy level, while Bukit Rambai and Bandaraya Melaka were at medium levels. The state government also advised the public to take precautionary measures in ensuring their general health. 'High risk groups like children, the elderly and individuals suffering from respiratory problems are advised to reduce outdoor activities for the time being. The public is also advised not to carry out any open burning,' it said in a statement today. In PEKAN, the Pahang government said it is prepared to implement school closures in the state if the API readings exceed the very unhealthy threshold. State Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said this in response to reports of haze affecting two areas —Temerloh and Balok Baru in Kuantan — which recorded unhealthy API readings today.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Negeri Sembilan activates haze and open burning response plan
SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan government has activated its state-level response plan under the National Haze Action Plan and National Open Burning Action Plan following directives from the Department of Environment (DOE). State Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman S. Veerapan confirmed the move after the Air Pollutant Index (API) surpassed 150 for 24 consecutive hours. 'The state government will intensify patrols and enforcement against open burning activities, especially in high-risk agricultural and industrial areas. 'We will also assess the implementation of cloud seeding technology in collaboration with federal agencies should air pollution levels continue to rise,' he said in a statement. Veerapan urged residents to report open burning via the DOE complaint hotline and support sustainability efforts. According to the DOE's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), eight areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy API levels as of 6 pm. Alor Gajah in Melaka recorded the highest reading at 157, followed by Seremban (155), Kemaman (153), Banting (152), Temerloh (152), Balok Baru (152), Nilai (146), and Johan Setia (140). An API between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy, posing risks to vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions. – Bernama
