GEORGE TOWN: The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has activated a Level 2 trans-boundary haze alert for the South-East Asian region.
Based on the latest satellite imagery, scattered hotspots were detected in the southern parts of Kalimantan and Sumatra while a few hotspots were detected in Sulawesi, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands.
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Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed emanating from hotspots detected in the southern parts of Sumatra.
ASMC said that the full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation over the areas in the equatorial region could not be determined due to extensive cloud cover.
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Alert Level 2 refers to the risk of trans-boundary haze due to persistent dry weather which gives rise to escalation in hotspot and smoke haze activities over the southern Asean region.
As at 11am, the Environment Department's air pollutant index (API) readings at Balik Pulau and Minden on the island were 84 while the Prai reading was 87.
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However Seberang Jaya recorded an unhealthy API reading 102 was recorded.
An API of between zero and 50 is considered good air quality; 51 and 100 moderate; 101 and 200 unhealthy; 201 and 300 very unhealthy; while 300 and above is hazardous.
