KUCHING: Kuching and Serian recorded hazardous air quality as haze conditions deteriorated across several areas in Sarawak and other parts of the country yesterday afternoon.
According to the Department of Environment (DOE), Kuching recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 312 while Serian recorded 329 as of 5 pm yesterday.
Samarahan recorded a very unhealthy API reading of 287, followed by Sarikei (257), Sri Aman (253) and Sibu (243).
Another eight Sarawak areas recorded unhealthy air quality, namely Mukah (200), Bintulu (190), Kapit (190), Samalaju (171), Limbang (167), ILP Miri (167), Miri (164), while other areas in the country also recorded unhealthy readings.
The DOE said air quality nationwide had deteriorated, with several areas in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan recording unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous readings due to haze moving from various directions.
Based on the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) report dated Sept 1, satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-20 detected 980 hotspots in Kalimantan, 134 in Sumatra and four in Malaysia, all in Sarawak.
The regional haze map issued by ASMC on the same date showed persistent dry weather across much of the southern ASEAN region, with widespread hotspots detected in Kalimantan and Sumatra and several hotspots in Sarawak.
Moderate to thick transboundary haze was also observed over northern Borneo, as well as parts of the southwestern, western and central Philippines, while moderate to thick smoke plumes were detected from hotspot clusters in other parts of Kalimantan and southern and central Sumatra.
Following the increase in hotspot activity and the worsening haze across the southern ASEAN region, ASEAN activated Level 3 Alert for the Southern ASEAN region from Aug 27 under the ASEAN Haze Monitoring System.
The DOE said it would continue monitoring air quality, hotspots, weather conditions and transboundary haze, while the Sarawak DOE would intensify patrols and enforcement under the National Haze Action Plan.
This includes continuing Open Burning Prevention Operations and increasing patrols in high-risk areas such as forests, peatlands, landfills, agricultural and plantation areas and industrial sites.
The DOE also urged industries in areas recording API readings above 300 to reduce air emissions from major sources.
Under the National Haze Action Plan, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will activate disaster management committees at district, state or federal level when API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours.
All outdoor classroom activities are to be stopped when API exceeds 100, while schools, kindergartens and childcare centres are to be closed immediately when API exceeds 200.
Cloud seeding operations may also be carried out when API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours, subject to suitable cloud and weather conditions.
The public is advised to monitor hourly API readings through the DOE website or the official MyJAS EQMS smartphone application, and to refer to the Health Ministry for health advice during haze conditions.
The DOE also reminded the public against open burning, with the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024 increasing the fine to between RM25,000 and RM1 million, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. A compound of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may also be imposed for each offence.
Members of the public are urged to report open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the DOE hotline at 1-800-88-2727.
