KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — The Air Pollution Index (API) reading at the Serian station in Sarawak reached 227 (very unhealthy) as of 2pm today, while nine other areas in the state recorded unhealthy readings.
Environment Department (DOE) deputy director-general (development) Azuri Azizah Saedon said Sri Aman recorded the second-highest API reading at 187, followed by Kuching (176), Samarahan (175), Sarikei (174), Sibu (157), Bintulu, and Samalaju (154), as well as Kapit and Mukah (130).
Air quality nationwide deteriorated today, with more areas in Sarawak recording unhealthy API readings as haze moved in from various directions.
Based on a report by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) yesterday, 288 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, 53 in Sumatra, and two in Malaysia, with one each in Sarawak and Terengganu.
She said the Regional Haze Map issued by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) today showed continued dry weather conditions across most parts of the southern ASEAN region, except for northeastern Borneo and northern Sumatra, which experienced rainfall.
“Hotspots were detected extensively in Kalimantan, while several isolated hotspots were detected in other parts of the southern ASEAN region.
“Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were observed in West Kalimantan and moving northwards into western Sarawak,” Azuri said in a statement today, adding that the DOE has stepped up enforcement efforts and daily patrols in areas with potential for open burning, in addition to monitoring API readings.
“The National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate action among government agencies in addressing open burning and dealing with the national haze situation,” she noted.
The public is advised not to engage in open burning and to report any incidents of open burning or fires to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department at 999, or to the DOE at 1-800-88-2727.
