Melaka activates disaster committees as haze hits unhealthy levels
The move follows reports of unhealthy air pollution levels in parts of the state, attributed to cross-border haze carried by south-westerly winds.
The State Disaster Management Committee confirmed that proactive measures are being taken under the National Haze Action Plan.
Continuous monitoring of the Air Pollution Index (API) is being conducted by the Melaka Disaster Operations Control Centre, with support from the Melaka Environment Department (DOE) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
As of 2 am, API readings showed Alor Gajah at an unhealthy level (PM2.5 reading of 157), while Bukit Rambai (94) and Bandaraya Melaka (86) recorded moderate air quality.
The state government has urged residents to take precautions, particularly high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
'The public is advised to reduce outdoor activities and avoid open burning to prevent further deterioration of air quality,' the statement read.
Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
a day 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
2 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
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's water catchment levels stable despite dry weather, says Deputy Premier
Uggah speaks at the press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 31): Water catchment levels across Sarawak remain stable for now despite the hot and dry weather conditions affecting the state, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said the Sarawak government had received weather and fire risk briefings from various agencies, including the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Fire and Rescue Department, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and Welfare Department. 'At the moment, the water catchment levels are still okay. JBALB informed us that the situation is currently stable, but we have instructed them to closely monitor and report any developments to the government. 'They have set up a dedicated committee to oversee all water sources. One area of concern is the Gelugus Water Treatment Plant in Lawas, Limbang Division, which is currently recording very low levels,' Uggah told a press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting here today. He revealed there have been 675 requests for drinking water supply across Sarawak involving 15,000 families, with the highest number in Miri. 'In the past, the state government had supplied 12 tankers to address such needs. Those tankers are now distributed across all divisions and are on standby,' he said. As of this noon today, 220 hotspots have been detected throughout Sarawak. However, Uggah said the situation remains under control, with only Mukah recording an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) level of 160. He said all Divisional Disaster Management Committees have been instructed to convene meetings and prepare response teams. 'We have directed all Resident's offices to be ready and to establish standby teams to deal with any emergencies,' he said. Uggah pointed out NREB revoked all open burning permits for plantations two weeks ago and has since prohibited all forms of open burning. Related story: Uggah: 220 hotspots detected across Sarawak, fire mitigation and water supply efforts mobilised Douglas Uggah Embas lead water catchment
