PETALING JAYA: The Environment Department has stated that schools and kindergartens will be instructed to close if the Air Pollutant Index (API) goes beyond 200.The department’s director-general, Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar, emphasized that all schools and kindergartens should continually monitor the API levels. If the API exceeds 200, necessary arrangements should be made to shut down the premises.
According to Wan Abdul Latiff, outdoor activities at schools and kindergartens must cease if the API exceeds 100. Furthermore, cloud-seeding operations will be undertaken if the API remains at 150 for more than 24 hours. However, this will only occur if there are suitable clouds and weather conditions at the affected location.
“The air quality in the country today is deteriorating, with numerous locations reporting unhealthy API levels,” said Wan Abdul Latiff. He further added that efforts have been intensified by the department and other agencies involved in managing this disaster to prevent open burning activities that can worsen the haze. The National Haze Action Plan will serve as the basis for executing actions, providing specific instructions for each relevant agency based on the API status.
As of 6pm, 11 locations, including Batu Muda, Cheras, Putrajaya Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang, Banting, Johan Setia, Nilai, Seremban, and Port Dickson, recorded unhealthy air quality ranging from 116 to 161.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
