Malaysia to begin cloud-seeding as schools shut due to haze

KUALA LUMPUR — A layer of heavy haze has forced Malaysian authorities to shut schools in three states and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, with officials to begin cloud seeding operations to try to induce rain to help clear the air.

The thick, dirty white haze blanketed many parts of Malaysia early today (Sept 15) — an annual phenomenon that is mostly caused by the burning of forests in Indonesia to clear land for farming. Some 34 out of 52 air quality stations recording unhealthy air levels.

A plane equipped with chemicals it aims to release in the air that will help clouds produce rain was due to take off later today to cover Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas, said Dr Maznorizan Mohamad, a meteorological department senior official. A second aircraft was scheduled to fly over Kuching in Sarawak state on Borneo island.

She said the cloud-seeding is planned for three days but will depend on cloud availability and weather conditions. Dr Maznorizan said both the Kuching and Subang airports will each have one aircraft stationed there for the operation, which will cost between RM30,000 (S$9,760) and RM40,000 per flight.

The inter-monsoon season is expected to start in late September, bringing more rain over peninsular Malaysia to clear up the haze.

“It will bring temporary relief but whatever it is, we have to address the source of the problem,” she said. 

Late last night, the Education Ministry ordered the temporary closure of all schools in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The haze worsened yesterday, with the Department of Environment registering Air Pollutant Index (API) readings exceeding the 100 mark in several states across the country.

According to statistics by the Department of Environment, 34 areas were recording unhealthy readings on the API. Under the API system, 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, while 201 to 300 is very unhealthy and those above 301 is hazardous.

Some of the highest readings were recorded in Perak’s capital Ipoh — SK Jalan Pegoh (189) and Jalan Tasek (183), Pahang’s Balok Baru in Kuantan (180).

In Sarawak, five areas recorded an unhealthy API, namely Sri Aman (151), Sarikei (136), Sibu (117), Samarahan (115) and Kuching (109).

All five areas in Selangor have unhealthy API, namely Banting (177), Pelabuhan Klang (168), Shah Alam (155), Petaling Jaya (151) and Kuala Selangor (113).

The federal capital is also shrouded in haze, with Batu Muda recording an API of 183 and Cheras, at 153, while the administrative capital of Putrajaya recorded an API of 169.

In Negri Sembilan, Nilai recorded an API reading of 179, Seremban (171) and Port Dickson (160), while in Malacca it was 165 at Bukit Rambai and Bandaraya Malacca (153).

The haze affects the region every year, and is largely caused by slashing and burning forests to clear land for agriculture in Indonesia.

Indonesia's Riau province has declared an emergency that shut schools and set up health posts to treat those suffering respiratory problems after its air pollutant index hit extremely dangerous levels.

In Singapore, air pollution reached very unhealthy levels. Organizers of this weekend's annual Formula One night race are keeping a close watch on the situation to decide whether it will be safe to race.  The Singapore Grand Prix has always been held at this time of year, and while there has been some haze in past years due to the forest fires, it has never prevented the race from going ahead.
 
Indonesia's government has dispatched planes and helicopters for cloud seeding and water dropping, along with more than 1,000 soldiers sent to Sumatra island to help extinguish the fires. AP, MALAY MAIL ONLINE