SHAH ALAM: The Malaysian Meterological Department has been ordered to be ready to carry out cloud seeding if the haze situation in the country reaches a critical stage.
Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin said her ministry would activate the process for cloud seeding to ensure that air quality returns to normal.
“We will refer to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to get the agency to inform the Defence Ministry to carry out cloud seeding. The haze affecting the country right now is due to open burning in Sumatera and Kalimantan.
“So, we will be ready to carry out cloud seeding, but this will also have to depend on the weather,” she said after visiting the site of a peat fire in Kampung Johan Setia, here, adding that the peat fire was also contributing to haze in nearby areas.
Present were Department of Environment director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Kamarulnajuib Che Ibrahim; Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Osman; and Sungai Kandis assemblyman Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni.
Yeo said the Air Pollution Index (API) being used in the Air Pollution Index Malaysia (APIMS) website was now based on the 2.5 micrometre Particulate Matter (PM2.5) reading.
“This is a more accurate reading (of air quality) compared to PM10 which was used before this,” she said.
Yeo advised the public, and especially school authorities, to constantly keep track of API readings via the APIMS website.
“Information about the API readings for the entire country can be gotten from the apims.doe.gov.my website or via the MyIPU mobile application which is available on Google Playstore and Apple App Store,” she said.