Port Klang records unhealthy API for third day in row
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The Klang Valley is still affected by haze with Port Klang and Kuala Selangor recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index at 11am with readings of 101 and 102 respectively.
The Department of Environment (DOE) in a statement today said 12 areas recorded good API, 38 areas moderate and two areas with unhealthy API.
API at 0 to 50 level is good, moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300) and hazardous (above 300).
Among the areas, which recorded high API, were Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (90), Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (88), Petaling Jaya, Selangor (86), Seri Manjung, Perak (80), Banting, Selangor (78), Shah Alam, Selangor (77), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (77), Seberang Jaya 2, Perai, Penang (73) and Bukit Rambai, Melaka (73).
According to DOE, the satellite image issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) yesterday showed 20 hot spots in Sumatra, Indonesia.
The satellite image, however, was incomplete as it was influenced by the southwesterly monsoon wind blowing from opening burning hot spots in Sumatra, which caused the worsening air quality in the west coast of the peninsula.
“Based on information from the Meteorological Department, the hot and dry spell is expected to prolong until October,” the DOE said.
In this regard, DOE had activated the National Haze Action Plan and also its Open Burning Prevention Action Plan for all states to implement the standard operating procedure to monitor the status of air quality throughout the country.
Yesterday, the DOE received 10 complaints on open burning with four involving minor fires from agricultural activities, four rubbish burning and two bush fires. All cases have been investigated and action taken.
The DOE also reminded the people that the Prohibition Order on Open Burning in Selangor, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as well as Tudan, Permai Jaya and Kuala Baram in Miri, Sarawak was still in force together with the Peat Soil Fire Prevention Programme to prevent worsening of local air quality.
Members of the public are advised not to carry out open burning and to report any burning activity to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or DOE at 1-800-88-2727. — Bernama
