Hazy Weather & Consistently Bad API Readings Cause M'sia To Consider Cloud-Seeding Measures

Another year, another hazy situation.

Oct. 5, 2023

Hazy Weather & Consistently Bad API Readings Cause M'sia To Consider Cloud-Seeding Measures

As the year wraps up, it's almost time for the haze before the storm.

As of October 4, 2023, two out of 68 air quality monitoring stations across Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings with both stations located in Sarawak, namely Sri Aman and Serian. The API readings ranged from 101 to 142 throughout the day.

Back in September, the API readings spiked in the same locations in Sarawak, including Kuching, the capital city of the state.

On the other hand, October 2 recorded 11 areas with unhealthy API readings — particularly in the western part of Peninsular Malaysia.

Out of the 11, four places were recorded to be in the unhealthy range. These locations include Nilai and Seremban in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Shah Alam in Selangor, and Cheras near Kuala Lumpur.

“The government will take action based on the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) if the API reading worsens," said Shafe’ee Yasin, Enforcement Division Director of the Department of Environment (DOE), on the ‘Malaysia Petang Ini’ program broadcast by Bernama TV on October 5, 2023 (Wednesday).

"The ministry and the agencies involved will step up prevention efforts on open burning which can cause haze at the local level."

The Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) has been activated for haze management.

In any situation where an API reading exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours, the ministry will implement the cloud seeding operation (OPA).

As of 4 p.m. on October 5, there were six locations that recorded unhealthy API readings, according to the Air Pollutant Index of Malaysia (APIMS).

The locations are Bandaraya Melaka (151), Bukit Rambai (154), and Alor Gajah (112) in Melaka, as well as Batu Pahat (113) and Tangkak (117) in Johor, and Port Dickson (137) in Negeri Sembilan.