KUCHING: A total of 108 schools in Serian Division have been temporarily closed after Air Pollutant Index (API) readings exceeded 200, placing the area under the very unhealthy category.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Chairman and Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said the closures were a precautionary measure to protect the safety, health and well-being of students and school staff.
Teaching and learning will continue through home-based learning throughout the closure period to minimise disruption to students’ education.
Under the National Haze Action Plan, schools, kindergartens and childcare centres must close immediately once the API reaches 200, subject to the authority of the Sarawak Education Department director.
As of 4:00 pm today (Aug. 12), Tebedu recorded an API reading of 212, followed by Serian at 202, with both classified as very unhealthy.
Eleven areas recorded unhealthy air quality, namely Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Samalaju, Miri, Lundu, Lubok Antu and Lawas.
Mukah, Kapit, the Miri Industrial Training Institute, Limbang and Bario remained at moderate levels, while no area recorded either good or hazardous air quality.
Uggah said ambient air quality across Sarawak has shown a rising API trend since August 1, with the haze expected to persist over the next few days if biomass burning outside the state continues to increase.
Data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre showed that 75 hotspots were detected in Sarawak between August 1 and 11, compared with 3,853 in Kalimantan, Indonesia, during the same period.
The prevailing south-westerly winds during the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to last until September, could carry transboundary haze into Sarawak and further worsen air quality.
Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) reminded the public that those convicted of open burning could face a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The public may report open burning to the nearest NREB office or call its hotlines at 082-447488 or 082-319500.
Uggah advised residents, particularly children, senior citizens, pregnant women and those with respiratory or heart conditions, to limit exposure to polluted air and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Those who need to venture outdoors should wear suitable face masks, while households are advised to close doors and windows when outdoor air quality deteriorates.
He also urged the public to monitor official air quality readings and refrain from sharing unverified information on the haze situation.
