KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) plans to submit an official letter to the ASEAN Secretariat, urging countries in the southern ASEAN region to enhance preparedness for the intensifying El Nino phenomenon and strengthen measures to prevent transboundary haze.
Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the move followed an ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) report forecasting that the El Nino phenomenon would be stronger than in 2025, with a longer dry period also expected.
“The increasingly intense El Nino phenomenon poses a major challenge, especially for countries with vast and extensive peatland areas,” he said in a statement today.
Arthur said the report was tabled at the 37th Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) and Related Meetings held online from Aug 10 to 13, involving all 11 ASEAN member states.
He said that Alert Level 2 was activated on Aug 3 under the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution initiative.
Arthur said countries in the southern ASEAN region were required to submit daily reports on fire incidents, haze and emergency response measures taken following the activation of Alert Level 2.
In a related development, he said that four areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of noon today, namely Kuching, Samarahan and the Serian district police headquarters in Sarawak, and Johan Setia in Selangor.
Arthur said API readings remained moderate in other areas, while the haze situation in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya showed gradual improvement.
According to him, the haze that has affected the country since Aug 8 was caused by the intensifying El Nino phenomenon and the Southwest Monsoon, which resulted in reduced rainfall and hotter and drier weather conditions in most areas.
NRES, together with the Department of Environment and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), will continue to monitor and report on weather developments, air quality and the haze situation from time to time.
Residents in affected areas are advised to reduce outdoor activities, wear face masks and drink sufficient water to stay hydrated.
The public can obtain official API information via the Malaysia Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal or the MyJAS EQMS application, while weather information is available on the MetMalaysia website and through the myCuaca application.
--BERNAMA