THE Kelantan Department of Environment (DOE) is using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor peat soil fires in Mukim Beris Lalang, Bachok.

“We are constantly monitoring the current state of air quality throughout the state, especially in the peat fire zone of Mukim Beris Lalang.

“Patrols have been carried out every day for the past two weeks, besides aerial monitoring using UAVs,” Kelantan DOE director Wan Aminordin Wan Kamaruddin said.

Meanwhile, Wan Aminordin said the air pollutand index (API) reading in Kota Baru dropped to a moderate level of 93 this morning, compared to the unhealthy level of 104 recorded yesterday.

Wan Aminordin said the decrease was due to overnight rain.

“The hot weather in Kelantan for the past three weeks is one of the factors that caused the increase in API, aside from the peat fires and open burning.

“In these uncertain conditions, we advise the public to reduce or postpone outdoor activities to avoid the effects of smoke.

He also warned the public to refrain from open burning. – Bernama, April 17, 2023.