Author Topic: The Haze (Read 6758 times)

HIDDEN · « **on:** July 01, 2007, 08:42:55 PM »

hi,

Here in the Lumut/Sitiawan/Pangkor area the haze is back. It's not helped by a couple of bush fires, and several building sites burning off junk and what seems to be tyres. If the haze continues, or increases, then better to avoid this part of the west coast till about the end of September.

regards, Scott

HIDDEN · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2007, 03:51:12 PM »

Monday and Tuesday were bad. These two days not that bad on the north side of the island as compared to the east and south where the bridge is and the mainland side of Penang. Could be locations on the north are sheltered by the hills.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2007, 04:17:49 PM »

How do you cope with haze? Has it become worse, more lasting over the years? Are there places that are always free of haze whatever wind direction? I have one Sharp air-purifier in Penang but would need several for the whole flat. Would appreciate your experience or comment. Thanks.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2007, 04:53:58 PM »

I'm on the north side of the island with the hills nearby. But, I see more haze beyond the immediate hill top and Georgetown is all hazy - can still see KOMTAR these few days.
These two days the wind is blowing easterly, so my area is not affected that badly. I was even out in the garden and my doors opened all morning.
But, Mon and Tues was southerly winds so the haze came over the hills. I could not even turn on the vent in one bathroom as the suction caused outside air to be drawn in through narrow gaps around the doors and even through another vent in the other bathroom!
I closed all my doors and windows, the AC on all day together with a fan to facilitate air circulation.

Seems to be getting it yearly and this yr's came later. Usually in May/June. I thought we're so lucky this year,hehe. One yr was so bad even the east coast was affected!
From what I've read it's caused by burning in Indo at the start of the growing season. This yr with all that rain earlier the growing season was delayed till now.
Very much depends on the number of hotspots and wind directions

HIDDEN · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2007, 09:38:28 PM »

I think that the haze problem started about 15 years ago. I remember being in Singapore in the early 90's and buying an air-purifier.

There's been a lot of discussion between governments and within Asean. And totally no action is usually taken until the haze becomes so bad that cloud seeding starts.

Malaysia blames Indonesia which says that the burning is done only by Malaysian owned companies. A few years ago Malaysia banned the newspaper publication of the pollution index on the grounds that it would affect tourist arrivals. The index has since been restored.

Malaysia also complained about news reports of the haze in overseas media. It was some sort of hidden agenda by certain parties although I never understood this bit.

Despite a more mature attitude, the haze continues. Last year I developed a sore throat and went to the local clinic along with most other folks in the town.

This year, I'm going to take a trip to Kuantan, and the east coast which may be haze free if the haze doesn't get worse.

regards, Scott

HIDDEN · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2007, 10:55:24 PM »

How long can you normally expect the Haze to last?

Thanks

Cheers

Scott

HIDDEN · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2007, 12:16:31 PM »

hi, JJ

Last year it was around till September. It usually spreads over 3 months. I'm near Sitiawan which has a monitoring station for the pollution index. So far the highest reported is 98, the unhealthy range starts from 100.

Normally Sarawak and Sabah are badly hit with the smoke in Kelimantan. But so far it's been blowing over from Sumatra.

Not too bad here today.

regards, Scott

HIDDEN · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2007, 06:50:51 PM »

Whilst a major contributor to the haze is the burning/ground clearing in Sumatra, and the Malaysian Govt is always quick to point this out....one only has to look out of the aircraft window whist leaving or entering Malaysian airspace to see where the other major culprit lies!!!!

.
Locals, expats and tourists alike are not fools

HIDDEN · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2007, 06:27:23 AM »

For the last 2 years the haze lasted for 1 or 2 weeks so I just took a holiday abroad. This time newspapers suggest the haze might last until September. Any website giving air pollution indices for the whole country, region? Observing several years' charts we might spot the least polluted zone. Naively the farther from Indonesian forests the better, ignoring wind direction and rain. Sarawak and Sabah are least industrialized, but last year they and East Coast were worst hit by Kalimantan forest fires.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2007, 11:56:24 PM »

Hi
The index for the past three days can be seen on the following web site www.doe.gov.my/index.php

HIDDEN · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2007, 05:48:18 PM »

hi, Philandmei.

Many thanks for the info. Here in Sitiawan (Perak) there's just been a rainstorm and high winds so the air is pretty clear a the moment. Hope it lasts.

regards, Scott

HIDDEN · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2007, 07:57:53 AM »

I just spent 5 days in Langkawi. It was not hazy like Penang, but the sea was rough and red flag was hoisted on all the beaches all the time.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2007, 03:05:18 PM »

It's not so hazy here in Sitiawan since the heavy rain yesterday. I seems that Indonesia is the only regional country that has not ratified the "Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution."

The only answer is to try to plan to be out of Malaysia for June, July and August. And as Indonesia and Singapore suffer just as much haze then Thailand looks to be the nearest extended-holiday alternative.

regards, Scott

HIDDEN · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2007, 05:39:42 PM »

We are in Damai Beach at present (45 mins drive outside Kuching), and there is no haze here. Luckily our kids are on hols for the second half of July and all of August each year so we can get away. Last year we were in Queenstown New Zealand.....no haze there either.......if fact probably some of the cleanest air on earth to be had there!!

HIDDEN · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2007, 07:50:23 PM »

Alas, haze has returned to Penang despite recent rainy days.

News:

The Haze