The Malaysia’s Meteorological Department (MMD) said on Thursday (Aug 1) that the west coast of the Malaysian peninsular and western Sarawak has begun to experience smoke haze due to forest fires in Indonesia.
So far 30 to 40 hotspots have been detected in Sumatera and the haze is at the moderate level, but the MMD is monitoring to see if the hotspots will increase.
“This month, we forecast the dry weather and haze to prolong for five days. We advise the people to reduce outdoor activities and avoid open burning,” MMD told the Bernama news agency.
Indonesia has reportedly deployed thousands of soldiers, fire fighters and police personnel to douse the forest fires in Riau, southern Sumatera, Jambi, western Kalimantan, central Kalimantan and southern Kalimantan.
Data released by Malaysia’s Department of Environment showed that the Air Pollutant Index (API) was at an unhealthy level in two areas as of 12pm on Thursday – Rompin in the state of Pahang (104) and Johan Setia in Klang, Selangor (107).
The Malaysian Ministry of Health has cautioned members of the public to cut down on outdoor physical activities and also urged members of the public to wear face masks and use umbrellas as well as wear caps when outdoors.
