Air quality expected to improve by end of month when season changes

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 6 years ago · Published on 18 Sep 2019 8:36PM · 1 Comments

The Malaysian Meteorological Department says the air pollution affecting the nation will subside either at the end of September or early October. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, September 18, 2019.

SMOKE from forest fires choking Malaysia almost nationwide is expected to recede by the end of the month, the Meteorological Department said.

In a statement to The Malaysian Insight, the department said air quality is expected to improve gradually in the coming week.

“The air pollution will continue next week but the quality of air will improve slowly in the coming week.

“The low wind direction will help the situation and we at the Meteorological Department will monitor the situation closely as well as perform cloud seeding as soon as possible when the weather permits it,” it said.

Malaysia is currently experiencing the southwest monsoon season which is expected to end around late September or early October.

“Rain is very low during this season and that is why the weather is hot and humid. After the season end, we will enter the inter-monsoon phase where more rainfall is expected.

“It will eventually reduce the smoke coming from our neighbouring country and as soon as the southwest monsoon ends, the smoke (over Malaysia) will stop too,” the department said.

As of 7pm today, 39 areas in the peninsula are experiencing poor air quality readings as a result of transboundary haze through open burnings in Indonesia.

Kulim Hi Tech, Minden, Balik Pulau, Taiping, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Nilai and Johan Setia are areas with very unhealthy air based on the air pollutant index (API).

In Sarawak, Sri Aman and Kuching are recording very unhealthy API readings between 227 and 256.

Only Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Sabah are at the moderate air quality levels.

An API reading of 0-50 indicates good air quality; 51-100, moderate; 101-200, unhealthy; 201-300, very unhealthy; and 300 and above, hazardous.

Meanwhile, schools in Selangor will be closed tomorrow and Friday following worsening air quality in the state.

The state Disaster Relief Management Committee said in a statement today that the order was pursuant to the Meteorological Department’s advice that the poor air quality would persist till next week. – September 18, 2019.

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Comments

  • These fires are causing 'environmental genocide'. We can wear masks to reduce the impact, what about other living things in the countries involved. Everyday is a nightmare.

    Posted 6 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply