ISKANDAR PUTERI: Cloud seeding operations will continue in efforts to reduce Air Pollutant Index (API) levels in areas affected by haze in Sarawak, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) chairman, said two areas, namely Kuching and Sri Aman, are currently recording very unhealthy API levels.
"The situation in Serian has improved and we hope that with Malaysia Day celebrations taking place in Kuching, the haze situation will improve with cloud seeding operations.
"The operations will continue depending on the wind direction and location of the clouds.
"We are also receiving advice from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on where cloud seeding should be carried out based on the wind direction," he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said this to reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the National Orang Asli Sports Carnival at the EduCity Sports Complex here on Sunday (Sept 6).
Based on readings at 9am on Sunday, Kuching recorded an API reading of 235, while Sri Aman recorded 214, both at very unhealthy levels.
Meanwhile, Serian recorded an API reading of 184, which is categorised as unhealthy.
Earlier, Nadma director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim said cloud seeding operations throughout Sarawak would continue until Monday (Sept 7) to help reduce the haze affecting the state.
On Friday (Sept 4), His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, consented to declaring an emergency in the Serian division due to the worsening haze.
API readings of between zero and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy and 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
