Malaysia haze: Port Klang records unhealthy API readings

HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM The Star 23 Jun 14;

PETALING JAYA: Unhealthy levels of air pollution were recorded in Port Klang while other areas in the country recorded moderate and good readings.

According to the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index (API) reading, Port Klang recorded a reading of 102 at 9am yesterday and gradually increased to 107 as of 4pm.

Malaysian Meteorological Depart­ment spokesman Dr Hisham Mohd Anip said this was likely due to the weakening wind conditions, which might have caused the haze to remain stagnant.

“The dry weather has caused the dust and smoke to be suspended in the air. Strong wind for the past couple of weeks has dispersed them but the wind flow was probably weak yesterday,” said Hisham when contacted.

Apart from Port Klang, Kampung Air Putih in Taiping and Seri Manjung in Perak recorded moderate readings of 98 and 95 respectively while Shah Alam recorded a reading of 97 as of 4pm.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered good; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 301 and above, hazardous.

Hisham said the haze condition is likely due to local pollution from activities such as smoke emitted from factories and vehicles, as well as lesser rainfall.

Hisham said no rainfall is expected until next week, except for local isolated rain in the inland areas.

‘Good’ API readings
New Straits Times 23 Jun 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the haze, most areas nationwide recorded “good” Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, with the exception of Port Klang.

In Port Klang, the API as of 11am was an “unhealthy” 104.

Meanwhile, good and moderate readings were seen in other areas in Klang Valley and nationwide.

Meteorological Department commercial and corporate services division director Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the haze was because of local pollution and low rainfall, which contributed to a thin layer of haze occurring in certain areas.

“The haze is likely because of local activities, such as smoke emitted from factories, vehicles and air-borne dust.

“The situation is still under control and is not too serious at present. The wind has been quite strong, greater than 10 knots per hour for the past couple of weeks since the dry spell began early this month,” said Hisham.

He said the strong wind helped disperse the haze, but warned if the wind weakened, the haze became stagnant.

“However, the bad haze we experienced yesterday morning was because of slower wind speeds. The situation gradually improved as the wind speed picked up.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and measures will be taken if API readings continue recording unhealthy conditions after 72 hours.”

He said the nation would not be expecting rainfall until next week, except for isolated showers in inland areas because of the southwest monsoon season.

Meanwhile, the department is monitoring the El Nino phenomenon by getting information from international research centres, such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Centre and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

“Any developments will be announced to the authorities for further action,” said Hisham.

“Malaysia would be experiencing less rainfall during the southwest monsoon.

“During this season, we will experience a low rainfall of between 75mm and 150mm this month in the peninsula, which is 20-40 per cent lower than normal.”

The southwest monsoon season, which began late May, will continue till early September.

Johor water levels stable, except for Mersing
CHUAH BEE KIM New Straits Times 22 Jun 14;

JOHOR BARU: The water levels at all the dams and water intake areas in Johor have been stable despite the El-Nino weather phenomenon.

However, the Congok dam in Mersing is still at critical levels for the past two months.

Johor water utility company SAJ Holdings Bhd (SAJ) corporate communications chief Jamaluddin Jamil said that this was because the Congok dam was located close to the sea and the absence of rain there has contributed to the low water level.

"As a temporary measure, SAJ Holdings is sourcing water from Sungai Mersing for the local residents in teh affected areas," he said when contacted today.

The 5,000-odd residents there have been under the scheduled water supply for the last two months, and the exercise will only be lifted after the water level improves.

Jamaluddin said SAJ would only initiate its Water Emergency Response Plan when it is crucial.

"As for now, there has been no sudden dips in the water levels as most are stable," he said.