Latest news with #AirPollutionIndex
Barnama
20 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.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Transboundary haze returns, choking Klang Valley with unhealthy air
KLANG: The return of transboundary haze from Indonesia's forest fires has triggered public frustration and health concerns across parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, where air quality has dipped to unhealthy levels. A visit to Johan Setia in Klang, one of the worst-hit locations with an Air Pollution Index (API) of 152, revealed poor visibility of around 300 to 400 metres under a scorching, humid sky. Residents reported that daily outdoor activities have been disrupted, with many complaining of throat irritation, eye discomfort, asthma flare-ups, and dry mouth caused by the haze. For restaurant owner Mohd Mustakim Humayon, 59, business continues despite the gloom in the skies. "So far, so good. We still have regular customers. But physically, I do feel more tired than usual, and I'm constantly thirsty. The dry air makes me drink more water," he said, adding that worsening conditions could soon take a toll on both health and business. Factory worker Suliza Jaffar, 37, said her company had supplied each employee with two face masks as a precaution. "This year's haze is quite bad. I don't remember it being this bad in recent years, but now it's back," she said, recalling the 2019 haze crisis that also stemmed from peat fires in Indonesia, which led to school closures when API levels exceeded 200. As a preventive measure, Suliza said she plans to stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity. Although the current API readings remain below the threshold for school closures, parents are already taking matters into their own hands. Nur Amira Roslan, 29, a kindergarten teacher and mother of two from Taman Johan Indah, voiced her growing concern. "The API hit 154 yesterday and dropped slightly to 152 today, but honestly, there's no visible difference. It still looks terrible out there. "My children have been coughing for the past two days, so I kept them home from school today, even though it's not officially closed," she said. Amira stressed that the issue goes beyond just wearing face masks. "It's about being able to breathe clean, safe air at home. This keeps happening almost every year, and I don't understand why the government doesn't do more to stop open burning – here or in Indonesia. "They talk about cloud seeding, but the haze always comes back. What about installing air filters in schools or enforcing stricter regulations on illegal burning?" she asked. As of 5pm today, Department of Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar reported that in addition to the five locations previously flagged, four more areas have now recorded unhealthy API levels between 100 and 200: Cheras (132), Temerloh (152), Balok Baru (152) in Pahang, and Kemaman (153) in Terengganu. The highest API readings were in Alor Gajah, Melaka (157), and Seremban, Negeri Sembilan (155). In contrast, Putrajaya, which recorded 139 yesterday, has improved to a moderate level, with API now below 100. API classifications are as follows: 0–50 (Good), 51–100 (Moderate), 101–200 (Unhealthy), 201–300 (Very Unhealthy), and above 300 (Hazardous). Meanwhile, Mohd Salleh Hassan, 61, who operates a minimart in Johan Setia, said this year's haze felt denser than previous episodes. "This year's haze is worse than before, but still not at a dangerous level. I can't even see past the traffic lights at the nearby junction, about 400 metres away," he said, pointing outside his shop. Mohd Salleh said he noticed that the smog appeared far worse than the API figures suggested. "Residents with breathing issues, asthma, or small children need to be extra cautious. Starting tomorrow, I'll be selling face masks at my shop. Most people don't carry masks anymore since Covid, but this is different – it's smoke," he added. A retired government servant, Salleh also expressed concern over the impact the haze could have on an already burdened healthcare system.
The Sun
a day ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Melaka activates disaster committees as haze hits unhealthy levels
MELAKA: The Melaka government has directed all District Disaster Management Committees to activate immediately in response to worsening haze conditions. 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
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Sarawak reimposes open burning ban as air quality sees drop
KUCHING: As air quality is trending poorer in Sarawak, the state today reimposed a ban on open burning. The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) reminded project developers that those found guilty of open burning face prosecution under Section 30(1)(a) and Section 30(2) of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance. Offenders face a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years or both. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre detected 114 hotspots in Kalimantan, Indonesia, between July 14 and July 20, with 93 of them detected in the past two days. In response, the NREB halted the issuance of open burning permits, issued open burning prohibition notices to all project developers, organised air quality awareness programmes with other agencies, conducted field patrols to catch those who flout the ban and activated the haze operations room. The board said only four hotspots were detected in Sarawak in the same period. It warned that Sarawak could experience haze in the coming days or weeks if biomass burning in Kalimantan continued. "As the country is in the southwest monsoon phase, which began on May 10 and is expected to end in September, the region will experience consistent winds blowing from the southwest. "This may cause transboundary haze and a deterioration in ambient air quality in Sarawak." No area in the state has recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index readings. The NREB said up to 8am today, three areas recorded "good" API readings and 15 areas recorded "moderate" readings.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Haj pilgrims urged to stay healthy amid haze, dusty weather
MAKKAH: Malaysian haj pilgrims have been advised to wear face masks, due to the dusty and hazy weather conditions here, with the Air Pollution Index (API) reaching an unhealthy level of 180 yesterday. Malaysian Haj Delegation head Mohd Hisham Harun said the hot and dusty weather affecting Makkah, over the past two to three days, also requires pilgrims to be physically and mentally prepared for weather fluctuations throughout the haj period. 'Therefore, Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) advises all pilgrims to wear face masks whenever they leave their rooms, whether heading to the mosque or other areas. It is best to make mask-wearing a daily habit, to safeguard their health,' he said at a press conference here, today. He added that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) will continue to update pilgrims on the latest weather conditions and API readings, through official channels such as WhatsApp, to ensure they remain informed at all times. 'Pilgrims are also reminded to avoid prolonged exposure to the scorching heat, with current temperatures ranging between 30 and 44 degrees Celsius, and expected to rise to 50 degrees Celsius in the coming days. 'Therefore, both physical and mental preparation are crucial, especially with the Day of Wukuf expected to take place in about two weeks,' he said. He also said that TH is actively organising haj preparation programmes and Masyair arrangements, to ensure that Malaysian pilgrims are fully prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually, ahead of the culmination of the haj pilgrimage. 'For this purpose, pilgrims are encouraged to attend religious talks held at their accommodation, and to meet with Holy Land haj facilitators (PIHTAS) for any clarifications regarding the pilgrimage,' he said. In addition, Mohd Hisham said that TH has also provided an e-Bimbingan channel to enable pilgrims to get haj-related knowledge more easily online, including accessing video recordings. 'Pilgrims can also interact directly via phone calls or messages with haj guides who are in the Holy Land, via e-Taib,' he said. Mohd Hisham said that pilgrims are also encouraged to increase their recitation of the Quran, dhikr, and prayer, in an effort to draw closer to Allah SWT ahead of Wukuf Day.
