Latest news with #NationalHazeActionPlan
The Star
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Johan Setia and Kuching record unhealthy air quality
Hazy conditions: Boats crossing the Sarawak River in Kuching. The city registered an API reading of 116. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star PETALING JAYA: Two areas recorded unhealthy air quality levels as isolated hotspots continued to be detected across Sumatra, Indonesia, as well as parts of Sabah and Sarawak. As of 6pm yesterday, Johan Setia in Selangor recorded an air pollutant index (API) of 151 while Kuching in Sarawak registered a reading of 116. Another 61 monitoring stations, including those in Batu Muda (Kuala Lumpur), Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Tanjung Malim (Perak) and Seri Aman (Sarawak), reported moderate API readings. The API scale classifies air quality as follows: 0–50 (good), 51–100 (moderate), 101–200 (unhealthy), 201–300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous). Regionally, most of the southern Asean region experienced dry and cloudy conditions yesterday, with showers only in parts of central and northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported scattered hotspots in Kalimantan, with isolated ones in Sumatra, Sabah and Sarawak. Localised smoke plumes were also observed in Sarawak and Kalimantan. 'Hotspot activity in the region remains subdued,' said the ASMC. Looking ahead, dry weather is expected to continue over much of southern Asean, except in parts of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and southern and eastern Kalimantan, where rain is forecast. 'While showers may ease fire and haze activity, isolated hotspots and smoke plumes could still develop in fire-prone areas experiencing prolonged dryness. There is also a risk of transboundary haze,' said the ASMC, adding that prevailing winds are expected to blow from the southeast to south. Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Department of Environment (DOE) has carried out 4,184 ground patrols and 645 drone flights since the beginning of the year to monitor open-burning activities that may contribute to haze. Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said during the same period, the department has issued 58 notices of instruction, initiated 27 court actions and imposed 59 compounds on parties found guilty of offences related to open burning. 'The DOE has intensified enforcement actions and daily patrols in areas with high potential for open burning while continuously monitoring the API readings,' he said in a statement. Wan Abdul Latiff added that the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agency efforts in addressing open burning and managing the country's haze situation. 'All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas prone to fire such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural zones and industrial sites. 'They must also take proactive steps to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties, which could lead to open burning, either deliberately or unintentionally,' he said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
DOE intensifies patrols and drone surveillance to combat haze in Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Environment (DOE) has ramped up efforts to tackle haze by deploying extensive ground patrols and drone surveillance. Since the start of the year, authorities have carried out 4,184 inspections on the ground and 645 aerial checks to detect open burning activities. DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar stated that enforcement actions have been strict, with 58 notices issued, 27 court cases filed, and 59 compounds imposed on violators. 'We are intensifying daily patrols in high-risk areas while closely monitoring Air Pollutant Index (API) levels,' he said. The National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government efforts in managing haze. Landowners are urged to monitor fire-prone zones such as landfills, forests, and plantations to prevent trespassing and illegal burning. As of 3 pm today, API readings showed good air quality in five areas, moderate levels in 61, and unhealthy conditions in Kuching, Sarawak, and Johan Setia, Selangor. The haze in these regions is attributed to transboundary pollution rather than local fires. API readings classify air quality from good (0-50) to hazardous (above 300). Authorities continue to urge public cooperation in preventing open burning to safeguard air quality. - Bernama
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Drones, ground patrols deployed nationwide to curb open burning
PUTRAJAYA: The Environment Department (DOE) says it has carried out 4,184 ground patrols and 645 drone flights this year so far to check for open burning activities that may contribute to haze. Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said in the same period, the department has issued 58 notices of instruction, initiated 27 court actions, and imposed 59 compounds on parties found guilty of offences related to open burning. "The DOE has intensified enforcement actions and daily patrols in areas with high potential for open burning, while continuously monitoring the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings," he said in a statement on Friday (July 25). He added that the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agency efforts in addressing open burning and managing the country's haze situation. "All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas prone to fire, such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural zones, and industrial sites. "They must also take proactive steps to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties, which could lead to open burning, either deliberately or unintentionally," he said. Meanwhile, Wan Abdul Latiff said the API published on the DOE's website as of 3pm on Friday showed that five areas recorded good air quality, while 61 areas recorded moderate levels. "Two areas, Kuching, Sarawak, and Johan Setia, Selangor, recorded unhealthy API levels today. "The air quality deterioration in these areas is still influenced by transboundary haze, with no major local fires contributing to the situation," he added. An API reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy, and readings above 300 are considered hazardous. - Bernama
Barnama
5 days ago
- General
- Barnama
Haze: DOE Deploys Ground Patrol, Drone Surveillance To Curb Open Burning
PUTRAJAYA, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Department of Environment (DOE) has carried out 4,184 ground patrols and 645 drone flights since the beginning of the year to monitor open burning activities that may contribute to haze. DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said during the same period, the department has issued 58 notices of instruction, initiated 27 court actions, and imposed 59 compounds on parties found guilty of offences related to open burning. 'The DOE has intensified enforcement actions and daily patrols in areas with high potential for open burning, while continuously monitoring the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings,' he said in a statement today. He added that the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agency efforts in addressing open burning and managing the country's haze situation. 'All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas prone to fire, such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural zones, and industrial sites. 'They must also take proactive steps to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties, which could lead to open burning, either deliberately or unintentionally,' he said. Meanwhile, Wan Abdul Latiff said the API published on the DOE's website as of 3 pm today showed that five areas recorded good air quality, while 61 areas recorded moderate levels. 'Two areas, Kuching, Sarawak, and Johan Setia, Selangor, recorded unhealthy API levels today. 'The air quality deterioration in these areas is still influenced by transboundary haze, with no major local fires contributing to the situation,' he added.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Transboundary haze: School closures, cloud seeding part of action plan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Environment (DoE) has activated the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan to coordinate multi-agency government efforts in addressing open burning and the risk of transboundary haze. 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 or via the MyJAS EQMS app on Google Play and the App Store. he added.
