Haze back in Penang, air quality unhealthy in several areas

GEORGE TOWN: The haze is back, with the air quality index recording unhealthy levels at some areas in Penang.

According to IQ Air's data, their Tanjung Bungah stations at Alila 2 and the Dalat International School both recorded an index of 149 and 107 respectively.

This is categorised as being "unhealthy" for sensitive groups.

On the mainland, the station in Lorong Terinai, Bukit Tengah recorded an air quality index of 141, while Seberang Jaya recorded 129.

All four stations saw rapidly-deteriorating air quality since the early hours of Monday (Sept 4) morning, and forest-burning has been reported in Indonesia.

In June, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that transboundary haze originating from Indonesia will not be an issue anymore, because the country is well prepared for it.

He said authorities are looking to use climate-modification technology to produce artificial rain and to strengthen water reserves, which could help to prevent peatland fires.