Malaysia: Sri Aman, Sibu choke in haze

EUNICE HO New Straits Times 31 Jul 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: SRI Aman and Sibu in Sarawak continued to bear the brunt of the haze yesterday while the rest of Malaysia recorded moderate and healthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.

As of 3pm yesterday, Sri Aman and Sibu recorded API readings of 135 and 101 respectively.

The air quality in both areas has been unhealthy since the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

On Monday, which was the first day of Raya, a bushfire at Sibu’s Bukit Lima Forest Park caused the API to rise to 270 by noon, the highest in the nation, while visibility was reduced to 300m.

State Local Government and Community Development Minister Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh said the fire had been the main contributor of the haze since Saturday.

Sibu Fire and Rescue Department chief Abdul Mutalib Rashid said the fire was under control and they were monitoring the situation.

“We are also monitoring other areas and keeping a lookout for open burning.”

Mutalib said the Bukit Lima Forest Park bushfire had burnt peat soil about the depth of 3m.

The Federal Territory and Selangor recorded moderate API readings yesterday. As of 5pm on Tuesday, unhealthy API readings were recorded in Banting (109), Klang (117) and Batu Muda (132).

University Malaya Medical Centre consultant emergency physician Prof Madya Dr Rishya Manikam said: “The number of patients with respiratory problems has increased as the haze situation worsens.”

He advised the public to take precautions, especially senior citizens, infants and those who suffered from asthma or other respiratory problems.

Rain provides brief respite
The Star 31 Jul 14;

PETALING JAYA: Just when it was going to get worse, it got better. Malaysians in the central and southern peninsula can expect a short respite from the dry, hazy conditions.

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD), it has also been raining over central Sumatra, where the haze hotspots are concentrated, thus reducing the number of fires in the area.

“Hazy conditions are slowly beginning to improve, thanks to the rain pouring over both peninsular Malaysia and central Sumatra since Monday.

“At the moment, southwesterly winds are weak with a speed of about 10kph, allowing for rain in some parts of the peninsula,” he said.

However, the rain was not expected to last beyond the end of next week, as the southwesterly winds may become stronger after that, blowing at speeds of about 30kph.

“It is possible that the rains will slow towards the end of next week, leaving the country with the dry season that is expected to last until September. The winds may become stronger after next week, especially if the tropical storm east of Philippines intensifies, as the storm will absorb the moisture around it.”

A check with the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) revealed there were no hotspots in Malaysia, a marked improvement from the seven hotspots found on Monday.

However, Sumatra still had 98 hot­spot counts, while Kalimantan had 59.

For the haze to clear within the end of next week, the official said it was dependent on whether there would be enough rain at the hotspots.

“If it rains at the hotspots, this will help reduce the number of open burning incidents that contribute to the haze. If not, the southwesterly winds will pick up the smoke from the hotspots and blow it towards the peninsula, causing the haze to thicken.”

Indonesia’s disaster agency had warned last month that Malaysia and Singapore could be badly hit by haze again after a large number of forest fires in the Riau province, which was at the centre of an air pollution crisis last year.

The rain was also welcomed by people over social media.

Joylynn @tjoylynn tweeted: “i can see clearly now that the haze is gone. was beginning to wonder if i need glasses haha Praise God Maker of all, even the rain and wind.”

Lynn Zulkarim @LynnZulkarim said: “Super heavy rain in JB Alhamdulillah. Hoping for one in KL too to clear the haze and heat!”