SHAH ALAM: Cloud seeding will be carried out in Sarawak as soon as possible after the haze in parts of the state reached hazardous levels, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the operation would be conducted by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) together with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Ahmad Zahid said some areas had recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of up to 500, which is at the hazardous level.
ALSO READ: Haze: Six areas record hazardous API readings as of Sept 1 morning
He said MetMalaysia had been asked to advise on the affected areas, especially those at hazardous levels, so that the operation could be directed towards the worst-hit locations based on wind conditions.
"We are carrying out this coordination urgently because we feel that Sarawak must be helped.
"The fires in Kalimantan have spread too widely and are affecting about three-quarters of Sarawak. We must help," he said when met by reporters at a hotel here on Tuesday (Sept 1).
Asked how many locations were involved, Ahmad Zahid said five had been identified so far, and this was expected to spread further.
He said the Federal Government was working with the state government, particularly Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, to monitor the situation throughout the state.
Among the locations identified in Sarawak were the Batang Ai, Bakun, Murum, Bengoh, Gerugu, Assyakirin, Sika and Matang dams.
As of 9.15am, a total of six areas in Malaysia recorded hazardous API readings, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (Apims).
All six areas are in Sarawak, with two readings above 400 – the Serian district police headquarters monitoring station (408) and Kuching (402).
The other four badly affected areas are Samarahan (371), Sri Aman (364), Sarikei (337) and Sibu (315).
Three other locations in Sarawak recorded very unhealthy readings: Bintulu (237), Mukah (237) and Samalaju (230).
API readings between zero and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and those above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
API data is released hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide.
