KUCHING: Sarawak could experience intermittent haze during the Southwest Monsoon, with prolonged episodes possible if hotspots in neighbouring regions persist.
Natural Resources and Environment Board’s (NREB) Controller, Datuk Jack Liam, said the monsoon, which began on May 14, is expected to continue until September.
He said the haze situation over the coming days would depend on the number and location of hotspots as well as prevailing weather conditions.
Winds are expected to continue blowing from Kalimantan towards Sarawak during the monsoon period.
“While the wind direction will continuously blow from Kalimantan towards Sarawak throughout the Southwest Monsoon period, haze incidents are expected to occur intermittently rather than continuously,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Jack said reduced rainfall could also increase the risk of hotspots occurring.
“If hotspots in neighbouring regions persist, Sarawak may experience prolonged periods of haze,” he added.
NREB recorded a sharp increase in hotspots within Sarawak, with 103 detected between August 1 and 12 compared with only 16 throughout July.
The figures were based on hotspot information from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore.
Jack said NREB has activated its operations room and stepped up monitoring and enforcement activities in response to the current situation.
These include daily patrols and investigations into public complaints involving open burning.
According to NREB’s noon readings today, air quality remained unhealthy in several parts of Sarawak, although readings in Serian and Tebedu had improved from the very unhealthy levels recorded a day earlier.
Samarahan recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 180, followed by Serian at 179, Kuching at 176 and Tebedu at 174.
Sri Aman recorded 161, Sarikei 158, Mukah 153, Sibu 152 and Lundu 111, while the remaining monitoring stations recorded moderate air quality.
