NIBONG TEBAL – The state government has ordered two villages comprising some 400 residents near the Pulau Burung landfill area, which burned down since last Wednesday, to move to a safe area.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the decision was made jointly by the Seberang Prai Selatan District Disaster Committee comprising various relevant agencies today.
“The committee has decided to evacuate residents in two nearby villages due to air pollution problems immediately.
“The state government will also work with the Nibong Tebal Fire and Rescue Station and several other parties to address the risk of air pollution faced by residents around the area,” he said in a statement on Facebook.
Earlier, Chow visited the location of the fire in Pulau Burung and expressed regret over the incident.
The Land Affairs and Economy and Communications exco also hoped that relevant parties could further improve the quality of management of the Pulau Burung landfill to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Meanwhile, the Seberang Prai Selatan District Disaster Committee in a statement said the fire involved an area of six hectares above the Pulau Burung landfill, which has a total area of 16 hectares.
The statement said, two temporary evacuation centres, namely SK Saujana Indah and SK Bakap Indah, will be opened for residents of Ladang Byram and Kg Kebun Baru.
It said residents should be evacuated following the presence of gas that could pose a health risk to the residents due to the effects of the fire.
“The state Environment Department (DoE) has conducted air quality monitoring at three locations, namely the Seberang Prai Selatan District Mosque, Changkat MPKK Hall and Kg Kebun Baru MPKK Hall.
“Besides that the DoE has also placed a mobile air quality monitoring station at SJK (T) Ladang Byram.”
The DoE will also continue to monitor air quality from time to time, and residents are advised to reduce outdoor activities and seek immediate treatment if they experience shortness of breath. – The Vibes, January 16, 2022
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