PETALING JAYA: A cloud-seeding operation to mitigate the haze in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur was carried out to improve air quality in the affected areas.
The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) said the operation was being carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and Royal Malaysian Air Force.
“The operation is scheduled to take place on Sept 19 and 20 following Air Pollutant Index readings in the affected areas exceeding 150 for more than 24 hours, based on data released by the Department of Environment.
“The operation will involve the cooperation of the relevant agencies, with an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft serving as the primary asset for the cloud-seeding process,” it said in a statement.
Nadma director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim said the operation was part of the government’s efforts to reduce the impact of the haze and improve air quality in the affected areas.
However, the implementation of the operation is subject to weather conditions and the presence of clouds suitable for cloud seeding.
Nadma said it would continue to monitor the haze situation and prevailing weather conditions with the relevant agencies to ensure appropriate measures could be coordinated as the situation evolved.
As of 5pm yesterday, the Air Pollutant Index Management System showed that 16 stations nationwide recorded unhealthy API readings, with the highest recorded in Sarawak.
Seven areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy readings, with IPD Serian the highest at 178, followed by Kuching (173) and Sri Aman (169).
Seri Manjung in Perak recorded an API reading of 158, while two areas in Johor – Larkin and Pasir Gudang – also recorded unhealthy readings.
In Selangor, Shah Alam recorded an unhealthy reading, while two stations in Kuala Lumpur recorded unhealthy levels – Cheras (151) and Batu Muda (115).
Bukit Rambai in Melaka recorded the lowest unhealthy reading at 102.
Eleven stations nationwide recorded good API readings, while another 40 recorded moderate levels.
Regionally, as of noon yesterday, dry conditions persisted over most of the southern Asean region overnight, although showers were recorded over northern Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, widespread hotspots were detected over Kalimantan and Sumatra, while a few hotspots were detected in Sarawak.
“Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed over parts of Kalimantan, southern Sumatra and western Sarawak.
“Air quality stations in Kalimantan, western Sarawak and southern Sumatra reported unhealthy to hazardous levels,” it said.
