Cloud seeding expected to be carried out tomorrow
Cloud seeding is expected to be carried out tomorrow over the Klang Valley and Sarawak, said the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
“However, this depends on the haze situation this afternoon, which may improve due to the changes in winds which are stronger,” said senior meteorological officer of the National Weather Centre, Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip.
He stressed that the department was ready to carry out the cloud seeding operations to reduce the haze which has affected several areas in the country.
Meanwhile, according to the Department of Environment website today, Bakar Arang in Sungai Petani, Kedah, was the latest area which recorded an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading, at 112 this afternoon.
The API reading in Banting, Selangor, remained the highest in the country, at 171, followed by Port Klang (164), Shah Alam (149), Petaling Jaya and Kuala Selangor (145).
In Sarawak, Sri Aman recorded a reading of 138, Sarikei 122 and Samarahan (111).
In Johor, Muar and Larkin Lama recorded readings of 128 and 101.
In Negri Sembilan, Nilai recorded a reading of 169, Seremban (167), Port Dickson (160) while in Malacca, Bukit Rambai recorded 158 and Malacca City 141.
In the federal capital, the areas which recorded an API reading at the unhealthy level were Batu Muda (163), Cheras (152) and Putrajaya (156).
Unhealthy readings were also recorded at Seberang Jaya 2 (Perai) (128) and USM (129) in Penang, while in Kedah, Bakar Arang (Sungai Petani) recorded 112.
In Perak, readings at unhealthy levels were recorded in Seri Manjung (159), SK Jalan Pegoh (Ipoh) (148), Jalan Tasek (Ipoh) (138) and Kampung Air Putih (119).
In Pahang, three areas recorded readings at unhealthy levels - Balok Baru (Kuantan) (121), Indera Mahkota (Kuantan) (107) and Jerantut (114), while in Terengganu, the areas were Kemaman (126) and Paka (102).
Air quality with API readings of 0-50 is categorised as good, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (hazardous).
The public can visit the DOE's website at http://www.doe.gov.my to know the current API readings.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the current hazy condition persists in Singapore, with the air quality continuing to stay at an unhealthy level.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said the haze was blown in from Sumatra by the prevailing winds.
As of 2pm today, the 24-hour pollutant standard index (PSI) stood at 117-145, and the three-hour PSI at 118.
A 24-hour PSI reading of above 100 indicates unhealthy air quality.
The current hazy conditions are expected to persist for the rest of today and tomorrow.
The prevailing winds are forecasted to blow from the south or south-west, and the haze situation could deteriorate as the current unfavourable winds may blow in denser haze from Sumatra.
- Bernama
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