KUCHING: Haze continues to affect much of Sarawak today (Aug 22), with Serian recording the state’s highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 192 as of noon.
The Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak (NREB), in its Daily Haze Watch, reported unhealthy API readings at 14 of its 18 monitoring stations.
Kuching recorded an API of 185, followed by Lundu and Lubok Antu at 179 each, Samarahan at 177, Sarikei at 174 and Sri Aman at 173.
Other areas with unhealthy readings were Sibu at 163, Tebedu at 153, Mukah and Bintulu at 157 each, Samalaju at 156, Miri at 151 and Lawas at 109.
Four stations recorded moderate readings, namely Kapit at 96, ILP Miri at 92, Limbang at 80 and Bario at 60.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), in its latest Weather and Haze Situation update issued at 11.02 am today (Aug 22), reported dry conditions over the southern ASEAN region, with clusters of scattered hotspots detected in parts of Kalimantan.
Moderate smoke haze was also observed over the western parts of Borneo, while moderate smoke plumes were reported over central and southern Sumatra.
ASMC said dry conditions were forecast to persist over most parts of the southern ASEAN region in the coming days, although some showers were expected over northern Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and northern Borneo.
It warned that the escalating hotspot and smoke haze situation could increase the likelihood of transboundary haze, particularly in areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions.
“The prevailing winds were forecast to blow from the southeast or south,” it said.
