No need for cloud seeding now - Met DG

Cloud seeding will only be conducted if the Air Pollutant Index (API) in a certain area reaches unhealthy level for 72 consecutive hours.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET) director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail, said it is part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) set in the National Haze Action Plan.

"So far, no areas have recorded unhealthy API consistently for 72 hours, but MET is prepared should the need for cloud seeding arises," she told Bernama here today.

She added that there are conditions for implementing cloud seeding, among them are condition of unstable atmosphere, high water vapour content in the atmosphere as well as presence of high and big towering cumulus cloud.

Nonetheless, with dry clouds and little formation of cloud with potential to bring rain, cloud seeding will be a wasted effort, she said, adding that each cloud seeding operation costs between RM50,000 to RM80,000.

Che Gayah also expected the haze to improve in October following the intermonsoon taking place then.

This morning, five areas recorded unhealthy API of more than 100, namely in Samarahan (177), Kuching (165), and Sri Aman (164) in Sarawak and Larkin Lama (111) as well as Pasir Gudang (127) in Johor.

API of between 0 and 50 is good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (hazardous).

Meanwhile Health director-general, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement posted on his Facebook page said based on the ministry's monitoring at 17 health clinics, there was no increase in asthma patients, respiratory tract infections, or conjunctivities due to haze.

He said there were 5,070 respiratory tract infection cases reported in the 35th week (Aug 30 to Sept 5) which was lower compared to 6,502 cases in the 34th week (Aug 23-29).

"There were 736 asthma and conjunctivities cases recorded respectively in the 35th week compared to 837 cases the week before," he said.

For National Fishermen Association chairman Datuk Mohamad Dolmat, the concern was more towards the safety of fishermen as visibility was affected by haze.

He said fishermen in small boats determined the distance with only their eye sight unlike bigger ships which could be guided by Global Positioning System (GPS).

"We are also worried of the prolong haze which will adversely affect the income of fishermen," he said.

However to date, Mohamad said there were no reports of any marine accident due to haze.

At the same time, National Sports Institute (ISN) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz also called on athletes to avoid carrying out activities outdoor and should instead train indoor following the haze.

Athletes were also advised to put on safety mask and drink a lot of water to ensure their health is not afffected.