Malaysia: Visibility improves

AINA NASA New Straits Times 22 Sep 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: THE country’s haze situation appears to be improving with only four areas recording moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) readings yesterday evening.

As of 4pm, no areas recorded unhealthy APIs.

The four areas were Kota Tinggi, Johor (57), Seremban (57), Kemaman (53) and Sri Aman, while 45 other areas in the country recorded good API readings.

The readings are categorised as good (0 to 50), moderate (51 to 100), unhealthy (101 to 200), very unhealthy (201 to 300) and very dangerous (300 and above).

Department of Environment director-general Datuk Halimah Hassan said the number of hot spots in Indonesia had decreased according to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre.

“Satellite imagery from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed 26 hot spots in Kalimantan and 134 hot spots in Sumatera, bringing the total to 160 hot spots.”

This number was a decrease from the 226 hot spots detected last Thursday.

She said eight local hot spots were identified in Terengganu (3), Sarawak (2), Kelantan (2) and one in Kedah.

She said the department forecast good weather for Peninsular Malaysia for the rest of the month and next month, while Sabah and Sarawak would experience drier weather.