Indonesia Forest Fire – Malaysia To Carry Out Aerial Cloud Seeding Operation Today As Situation Worsens

Indonesia Forest Fire – Malaysia To Carry Out Aerial Cloud Seeding Operation Today As Situation Worsens

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia), National Disaster Management Authority (NDM), Malaysia Airforce (TUDM) and Labuan Water Supply department (JBA) had a joint operation early today to carry out aerial cloud seeding operation in Sarawak. The successful operation, induced rainfall which helps in reducing the effect of haze. Coupled with the favourable wind direction this morning, for the first time in the city of Kuching this week it is at the ‘Moderate’ level with the API reading of 80. The calculation is based on 24 hours PM2.5 and PM10 averages 

Early this week, more than 400 schools in Sarawak have been ordered to close on last Tuesday (10th Sept) due to the worsening condition on haze. Sarawak is one of the states in Malaysia situated in the Borneo island. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. The API index exceeded 200 since then and only getting better as the wind direction change early today (12th). The API issued by the Department of Environment Malaysia comprises the following categories: Good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300) and hazardous (301 and above). Schools will only be reopened once the API reading has reduced to below 200 and were told to stop all outdoor activities if the API reading was above 100

The haze mainly originated from the Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province which located south of the Borneo Island. 

Indonesian Environment Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar on Wednesday (11th Sept) are said to be in denial after the latter alleged of a cover-up by Putrajaya regarding the current haze situation. ASEAN data clearly shows otherwise. 

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has warned that haze will continue to affect western parts of Peninsular Malaysia and western Sarawak, as hotspots are expected to persist in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia. ASMC also issued a ‘level 3 alert’ on 9th Sept based on the NOAA-20 satellite data. “Level 3” indicates more than 250 hotspots in two consecutive days with dense smoke plumes.

The annual haze situation is very worrying with number of fire hotspots in Indonesian, Borneo and Sumatra has increased nearly sevenfold in four days in early September. Malaysia, however, are handling the situation rather well diplomatically seeking practical ways to fight haze. Instead of a protest letter, Malaysia offer Indonesia a helping hand to put out the forest fire. The question remains, will Indonesia take up the offer instead of taking a defensive stand and making denial statement? 

2 Comments

  1. Diana

    https://youtu.be/2u7iUMxI6jY

    Permandangan dr udara selepas operasi pembenihan awan, 12 Sept pkl 3 pm

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