Latest news with #AirPollutionIndex
The Star
5 days ago
- Climate
- 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.
New Straits Times
31-07-2025
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Expert: Climate change, urban growth driving rising temperatures in Malaysia
KANGAR: Seasonal weather patterns, global climate change, urbanisation, and human activities are among the main contributors to the rising temperatures in Malaysia, says an academician. Associate Professor Dr Norazian Mohamed Noor from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), said one major factor is the Southwest Monsoon, which occurs from June to September and is characterised by dry weather, low rainfall, and minimal cloud formation. She said that such conditions result in more direct sunlight reaching the Earth's surface with little obstruction, thus significantly increasing daily temperatures. "The lack of consistent rainfall also reduces the natural moisture content in both soil and air, making the environment hotter and drier," she told Utusan Malaysia yesterday. Previously, it was reported that Malaysia's average surface temperature rose by 0.6°C to 1.2°C between 1969 and 2009, and the country is now facing an increasingly unpredictable climate crisis driven by global warming. Projections suggest that if no strong mitigation steps are taken, the rise could reach 1.5°C to 2.0°C by 2050. As of the third week of this month, over 300 cases of heat exhaustion have been reported, particularly among children and the elderly, and the risk of heatstroke is also rising among outdoor workers such as construction labourers, farmers, and military personnel. Norazian said global warming is the primary cause of overall temperature increases worldwide, including in Malaysia, and that the prolonged El Niño phenomenon, ongoing from late 2023 to mid-2025, has had a significant impact on weather patterns. She said it has disrupted tropical rainfall systems, raised sea surface temperatures, and caused prolonged droughts and dry weather conditions. "According to reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), 2025 is projected to be among the hottest years ever recorded in modern history. "In addition, forest fires in Sumatra, Indonesia, have contributed to worsening air quality in Malaysia, particularly in Negri Sembilan and the Klang Valley, as thick smoke has been carried by winds, especially in Klang, with the Air Pollution Index (API) reaching between 152 and 157. "The extreme heat in Malaysia and the forest fires in Indonesia are closely linked. The Southwest Monsoon (June–September) brings dry conditions that accelerate the spread of fires in Indonesia, while also enabling smoke to drift over to Peninsular Malaysia. "This worsens an already hot environment, as the smoke traps heat in the atmosphere (heat trapping), further intensifying the perceived temperature and impacting public comfort and health," she added. Norazian also said that rapid urbanisation and city expansion in Malaysia are contributing to rising temperatures, particularly through the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.
The Sun
29-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Sarawak schools urged to limit outdoor activities amid haze
KUCHING: Schools across Sarawak have been instructed to minimise outdoor activities as haze and hot weather persist, raising health concerns for students. State Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah emphasised the need for precautionary measures, particularly for vulnerable children. Fatimah advised that extracurricular programmes should be moved indoors where possible. 'The current air quality is unsafe due to haze. Outdoor activities should be avoided,' she said after the Petronas Empowering Knowledge 2025 Education Sponsorship Award ceremony. She highlighted the risks for students with respiratory conditions, urging them to wear face masks. 'Children with asthma need special attention. We strongly encourage mask usage as a precaution,' she added. Schools have also been directed to monitor Air Pollution Index (API) readings regularly and adjust activities accordingly. As of 8 am today, Lundu recorded the highest API reading at 88, up from 79 the previous evening. Kuching's API remained stable at 74. The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) confirmed moderate air quality across all 18 monitoring stations in Sarawak. – Bernama
Barnama
29-07-2025
- Climate
- Barnama
Schools In Sarawak Advised To Reduce Outdoor Activities Due To Haze, Hot Weather
GENERAL KUCHING, July 29 (Bernama) -- Schools in Sarawak have been advised to reduce outdoor activities to avoid the risk of students developing health issues related to the ongoing haze and hot weather conditions. State Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Minister (KPWK) Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that if there is a need to conduct extracurricular activities involving students, they should be held indoors to avoid exposure to the unhealthy air quality. 'It is common practice during hazy conditions to avoid outdoor activities. The current air quality is not safe due to the haze,' she told reporters after the Petronas Empowering Knowledge 2025 Education Sponsorship Award ceremony today. She emphasised that co-curricular and sports programmes should preferably be conducted indoors, particularly to safeguard students who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma. She advised the public, especially schoolchildren, to resume the use of face masks as a preventive measure against the adverse effects of the haze. 'Children with asthma need special attention, and we strongly encourage them to wear face masks as a precaution,' she said. She added that schools have been instructed to continuously monitor the Air Pollution Index (API) readings and take appropriate action based on the latest data. Meanwhile, it is reported that air quality in Sarawak remained at moderate levels across all 18 monitoring stations this morning, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB). As of 8 am, Lundu recorded the highest API reading at 88, up from 79 at 4 pm yesterday. Kuching maintained a reading of 74, unchanged from the same time the previous day.
Borneo Post
25-07-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Sarawak braces for transboundary haze amid spike in border hotspots
Photo taken at on July 25, 2025 shows haze blanketing Kuching's skyline around 6.30pm. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 25): A surge in hotspots along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border is raising the risk of transboundary haze, said the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB). Citing a July 21 report from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the NREB said in a statement that the HYSPLIT model forecasts a moderate impact from haze originating in the neighbouring country, particularly over western Sarawak within the next 72 hours. 'As a proactive or preventive measure, NREB is carrying out patrolling and physical monitoring activities including using drones in agricultural areas, peatlands, bushland areas and landfills which have been identified as having a high risk of fire. 'This measure has proven effective in reducing open burning. This can be seen from the significant difference in the number of hotspots detected in Sarawak (62) and in the neighbouring country (448 hotspots) from July 18-24,' NREB said, adding that it would continue to monitor the daily development of hotspots through the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website. Most of the foreign hotspots were located near Lundu and Tebedu. As of 8am today, Lundu recorded an Air Pollution Index (API) of 125 (unhealthy), while Tebedu registered 69 (moderate). They would be identified as high-risk areas if their API increases, the board added. Should air quality worsen, NREB will update the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) with real-time data on API levels and hotspots to support decision-making, including potential school closures, depending on Education Ministry thresholds. The board also reminded the public not to engage in open burning during the dry season and urged residents to report any such activities to the nearest NREB office or via its hotline 082-447488 or 082-319500. Meanwhile, according to the Department of Environment's (DOE) API management system (Apims) reading today, Kuching registered an unhealthy air quality today with API reading of 100 at 1pm, 112 at 2pm, 111 at 3pm, 114 at 4pm, 116 at 5pm and 119 at 6pm. As for Lundu, its API reading as of 4pm was at 119 (unhealthy), while Serian as of 2pm registered an API of 119 (unhealthy). haze hotspots Kuching metmalaysia NREB transboundary
