PENANG, 11 Feb 2009: Haze has descended on Penang, limiting visibility in three areas to between four to seven kilometres.
A Meterological Department spokesperson here attributed the haze to open burning in Sumatera, Indonesia.
He said as of 11am today, the Air Pollutant Index (API) at Seberang Jaya stood at 72 with visibility of four kilometres followed by Perai with 59 and visibility of five kilometres.
“Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recorded API of 62 with visibility of seven kilometres. The API will keep changing from time to time according to weather conditions,” he told Bernama here today.
The API for unhealthy air quality is over 100.
He said the haze in Penang was fair and not cause for worry as it would change when winds blow, forming clouds, resulting in rainfall.
The public have been advised against open burning as it would worsen the haze, despite the fair API.
