Hazy days continue in Klang Valley

Grey skies: Putrajaya blanketed by haze at 11.45am yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: Yesterday was another dreary day for Klang Valley folks as the haze continues to blanket many areas for most of the day.

As the number of hot spot rises in Indonesia, more areas are beginning to feel the effect, with Tanjung Malim becoming the first to record an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) level of 110.

The air quality is considered unhealthy when the reading is between 101 and 200.

The index showed an increase in more areas with moderate reading. Only 20 out of 52 areas are marked as having low pollution.

As at 5pm, apart from Tanjung Malim, five other areas hit above 70 mark, namely Shah Alam (80), Kua­la Selangor (81), Banting (73), Port Klang (84), Ipoh (70) and Kuching (71).

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the haze was caused by the fire in the middle of Sumatra, which was carried by the south-west monsoon.

Based on Asean Specialised Me­­teorological Centre there has been an increase in the number of hotspots detected by NOAA-19 Satellite.

“Seventy-seven hot spots were de­­­tected in Kalimantan and 23 in Su­­matra,” said Wan Junaidi yesterday.

He said four hotspots were detected in Pahang and Sarawak and they were now being investigated and actions would be taken against those responsible.

Wan Junaidi said Malaysia was still waiting for a formal request from Indonesia to help resolve the peat fire problems there.

He said Indonesia had deployed 3,000 police personnel and soldiers to help the fire and rescue department put out the fire.

“We will also activate our haze committee next week and begin our meeting on how to overcome the situation,” said Wan Junaidi.

He also reminded the public not to burn openly or allow their land or premises to be trespassed to prevent open burning from happening.