KUCHING: Air quality worsened across much of Sarawak this morning (Sept 1), with Kuching breaching the 400 mark and Sibu joining several other areas in the hazardous category.
As of 8 am today, the Department of Environment (DOE) recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 407 in Kuching, up from 381 at 8 pm yesterday.
Sibu saw a significant deterioration, with its API climbing from 257 last night to 309 this morning, pushing the area from very unhealthy to hazardous.
Samarahan and Sri Aman also remained on an upward trend, rising from 352 to 372 and 339 to 361 respectively.
Sarikei similarly deteriorated from 294 to 333, placing it in the hazardous category.
In contrast, IPD Serian showed gradual improvement, with its API falling from 433 last night to 408 this morning, although air quality remained hazardous.
Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) monitoring stations also recorded hazardous air quality in several areas as of 8pm yesterday.
Lubok Antu recorded an API of 407, followed by Lundu at 399 and Tebedu at 398.
NREB readings for Lawas and Bario stood at 157 and 136 respectively, both within the unhealthy category.
Conditions also worsened in central Sarawak this morning, with Bintulu rising from 184 to 232, while Samalaju increased from 207 to 225 and Mukah from 219 to 234.
The three stations were in the very unhealthy category.
Kapit recorded an API of 178, while Miri stood at 180, ILP Miri 187 and Limbang 166, all classified as unhealthy.
API readings between 101 and 200 are classified as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy and above 300 as hazardous.
