Respiratory problems rise as haze and dry spell worsen

PETALING JAYA: The worsening of the haze is taking its toll on many Malaysians, especially in the Klang Valley.
Public and private hospitals are seeing an increase in people, including children, seeking treatment for respiratory problems, eye irritation, running nose, sore throat and skin itch.
A Health Ministry spokesman said hospitals nationwide were ready to cater to the rise in patients, including those with heart and other ailments. "Most of those seeking medical help are those suffering from asthma, wheezing, lung infections and heart problems. It is mostly the elderly and children," he added.
He advised the rakyat to stay indoors and avoid all outdoor activities and to use face masks when outside, whenever possible,.
"Drink lots of water and go to the nearest hospital if you have breathing difficulties or problems related to the haze," he added.
Meanwhile, it looks like the authorities are "powerless" in mitigating the situation as the Air Pollutant Index reaches unhealthy levels in some parts of the country.
Meteorology Department scientist Hisham Mohd Anip attributed the haze to forest fires in Indonesia and Malaysia which is aggravated by weak wind flow.
"We expect the situation to continue until tomorrow and hopefully the wind may start picking up again after that," Hisham told theSun today.
Although cloud-seeding may improve the situation, he said, the government's hands are tied due to a lack of clouds.
He said they were on standby for cloud-seeding procedures and will start as soon as conditions are favourable.
The dry spell has also caused an impact on raw water supply which is now alarmingly low with the Sungai Selangor dam recording a water level of 35.14% on July 26, even lower than when water rationing was imposed in Selangor earlier this year. The Sungai Selangor dam supplies about 60% of the state's raw water supply.
The situation is likely to deteriorate with no rainfall.
Selangor Executive Councillor for infrastructure and public amenities Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi said the state government is monitoring the situation and the public should also cooperate by using water sparingly.
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) Corporate Communications and Public Affairs assistant general manager Priscilla Alfred said they have yet to get a directive from the state government on water rationing.