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15 June 2012| last updated at 06:42PM

Haze drifting in from Riau



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KUALA LUMPUR: A Department of Environment statement attributed the bad air quality in the Klang Valley and Perak today to the haze coming in from across the border from Sumatera, Indonesia.

The haze is expected to last for several days due to the forecast of a continued dry spell being experienced in several northern and west coast states at the moment.    

It said the satellite image by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre showed an increasing number of hotspots in Sumatera, Indonesia since Tuesday.   

The image also showed the haze drifting from Riau, Central Sumatera heading towards the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

The statement listed Air Pollution Index (API) readings from 51 air quality monitoring stations recorded at 11 am today with unhealthy levels in Kuala Selangor (API 131), Port Klang (API 130), Shah Alam (API 106) and Seri Manjung, Perak at 94.      

The DOE has activated its Prevention of Open Burning Plan in all states and heightened the implementation of the standard operating procedure for the Prevention of Peat Fires which are easily inflammable, to prevent and control any local contribution towards the deteriorating air quality.    

The public have been advised to refrain from open burning and to cooperate by putting out small fires and report any open burning to the Fire and Rescue Department @ 999 or DOE's toll free line 1-800-88-2727. 

In SHAH ALAM, a Selangor Fire and Rescue Operations Centre spokesman said the peat fire covering an 83-hectare area in Banting since June 5 has been identified as among the causes of the deteriorating air quality in the Klang Valley currently.

Apart from that, he said a 90-hectare plantation fire in Sabak Bernam today worsened the situation.

"Several areas in Selangor, particularly Klang, Shah Alam and Sabak Bernam saw a dip in air quality," he said when contacted.    
-- BERNAMA

NSTP/ Syarafiq Abd Samad

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