NIBONG TEBAL: About 400 people from 86 families in Ladang Byram and Kampung Kebun Baru here were ordered to evacuate following air pollution brought about by a fire at the Pulau Burung landfill on Wednesday.
Two evacuation centres have been opened at Sekolah Kebangsaan Saujana Indah and Sekolah Kebangsaan Bakap to house those evacuated.
According to a statement released by Seberang Prai Selatan district disaster management committee, the state Department of Environment (DoE) have monitored the air quality at three locations — Masjid Daerah Seberang Perai Selatan, Dewan MPKK Changkat and Dewan MPKK Kampung Kebun Baru.
It said the state DoE had also placed a portable air quality monitoring station at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ladang Byram.
"Based on state DoE's monitoring, it was found that there was gas emitted which posed health risks.
"As such, residents staying at Ladang Byram and Kampung Kebun Baru have been advised to temporarily evacuate.
"Two evacuation centres have been opened for the purpose.
"The state DoE will continue to monitor the air quality there from time to time," it added.
The Seberang Prai Selatan district disaster management committee also advised the people there to reduce outdoor activities, to seek medical health if they have breathing difficulties and to put on their masks at all times.
It was reported that some 6.4ha (16 acres) of the 16ha (40 acres) landfill was gutted in the fire on Wednesday afternoon.
It was only brought under control on Thursday night.
No one was injured in the incident.
However, toxic fumes at the landfill resulted in air pollution affecting the nearby villages.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who visited the site earlier today, expressed disappointment over the incident.