Sarawak haze from Kalimantan fires worsens

 Serian has the highest air pollutant index at 171, followed by Kuching (154), Samarahan (154), Sri Aman (139), and Bintulu (124).

Five districts in Sarawak are experiencing unhealthy air quality following forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The haze affecting several parts of Sarawak has worsened with five districts experiencing unhealthy air quality amid forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The environment department said Serian had the highest air pollutant index (API) as of 8am at 171, followed by Kuching (154), Samarahan (154), Sri Aman (139), and Bintulu (124).

An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as “unhealthy” and may pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

“The air quality worsened today with an increase in areas recording unhealthy levels of API, especially in Sarawak,” it said in a statement.

Citing data from the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, it said there were currently 643 hotspots in Kalimantan, contributing to the hazy conditions.

The environment department said there were also 17 hotspots in Sumatra, Indonesia, as well as 25 within Malaysia, including 22 in Sarawak, and one each in Selangor and Terengganu.

Action plans to combat open burning and haze have been activated by government agencies, it added.

It said once the API exceeds 100 in an area, schools are to halt all outdoor activities. Schools and preschools will shut once the API reaches 200.

Cloud-seeding operations will also be held for areas where the API exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours. - FMT