KUCHING: Areas recording an Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of 500 and above will be declared under an emergency by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
However, the Sarawak Deputy Premier said the declaration would apply only to the affected localities and not the whole of the state.
“If an area reaches an API level of 500, the matter will be referred to Nadma in Kuala Lumpur at the federal level for further action under disaster management procedures.
“If an emergency is enforced, all offices and public and private sectors in the affected areas will be closed, with only essential services allowed to operate,” he told a press conference after chairing a meeting of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee here Monday (Aug 31).
Uggah, who is also the committee chairman, said the transboundary haze issue was a regional matter that required the involvement of governments of the countries concerned through established regional and diplomatic channels.
“In this matter, the state disaster management committee has contacted Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is the committee’s deputy chairman, to raise the current situation and facilitate engagement with Indonesia through established Asean channels.
“The committee will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure Sarawak’s concerns are conveyed through the appropriate national and Asean channels. Any proposal to assist neighbouring countries will also be considered and co-ordinated by the Federal Government through the proper government and diplomatic channels,” he said.
On cloud-seeding operations, Uggah said the initiative was expected to be carried out from Sept 3 to 5 as previously scheduled, subject to weather conditions at the time.
“The operation is not solely aimed at reducing haze, but will also help replenish water resources, including dams and water supply sources, following the current prolonged dry spell,” he said.
He said four water catchment areas currently experiencing reduced water levels are Simunjan, Lingga, Spaoh and Lijok. — Bernama
