Unhealthy air quality in 16 places, worst in Malacca

comments     Published     Updated

Sixteen places throughout the country recorded unhealthy air quality level as of 6pm, with Malacca City recording the highest Air Pollutants Index (API) reading of 134.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE) website , this was followed by Balok Baru, Kuantan (129), Kemaman, Terengganu (125) and Shah Alam, Selangor (111), says a Bernama report.

Due to low visibility, all flights leaving the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport in Subang was cancelled.

However, flights resumed at 7.30pm when the airport opened again, Bernama reported, quoting the Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.

According to the Meteorological Department, visibility dropped to 500 metres at the airport this afternoon, and was at 600 metres at 7.30pm.

"We have decided to ground all flights after visibility dipped to 500m.

"This is a safety precaution due to the worsening haze," Azharuddin reportedly told the New Straits Times earlier.

A Malaysia Airoports Holding Bhd spokesperson told The Star that KLIA and KLIA2 are not affected.

The visibility there at 7.30pm is 800 metres.

Among those standed at the Subang airport is DAP's Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang.

"Stranded at Subang Airport waiting for flight to Johor Baru as five Firefly flights to Langkawi, Penang, Alor Setar, Johor Baru and Kota Baru delayed indefinitely because of haze problem," he tweeted at about 5.30pm.

The Klang Valley is shrouded by thick haze today, as neighbouring Indonesia struggles to contain forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatera.

Kuala Lumpur's Air Pollutant Index at 6pm was at an unhealthy level of 109 , while Petaling Jaya was 108 and Shah Alam 111.

Related reports

Haze hits unhealthy levels in KL, Pahang, Malacca

Haze clouding Indonesia-Singapore diplomatic ties

SUBANG: All flights leaving the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport here have been cancelled due to poor visibility caused by the worsening haze. Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said all flights landing at the airport have been cancelled as well. "We have decided to ground all flights after visibility dipped to 500m. "This is a safety precaution due to the worsening haze," he said when contacted. All flights operated by Firefly and Malindo operating out of the airport have been cancelled. Firefly customers affected by the cancellation can request for a refund or a change of date through their customer service number at 03-7845-4543. The Air Pollutant Index numbers for Shah Alam had spiked to 101 at 5pm, which is categorised as unhealthy.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/airport-flights-cancelled-due-worsening-haze-dca



Malaysiakini
news and views that matter


Sign In