Seven areas across Sarawak recorded hazardous air quality levels on Monday morning, with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings climbing above 301 as haze continues to affect parts of the state.
According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board’s (NREB) Daily Haze Watch, Serian recorded the highest API reading at 476 as of 8am, worsening from 439 recorded at 8pm on Sunday.
Three other areas also entered the hazardous category by Monday morning, with Lubok Antu recording an API of 367, followed by Lundu at 349 and Sri Aman at 326. All three areas had been classified as having very unhealthy air quality at 8pm on Sunday, with readings of 282, 242 and 278 respectively.
Tebedu also experienced a sharp deterioration in air quality, with its API rising from 302 at 8pm on Sunday to 385 by 8am on Monday.
Meanwhile, Samarahan and Kuching recorded slight improvements, although both remained in the hazardous category. Samarahan’s API eased from 335 to 330, while Kuching’s reading fell from 319 to 317 over the same period.
Sarikei, however, saw its API increase to 267 by 8am from 222 at 8pm on Sunday, placing it in the very unhealthy category.
Sibu and Mukah also moved into the very unhealthy zone, recording API readings of 219 and 214 respectively. Their readings had stood at 198 and 192 on Sunday night, when both areas were classified as unhealthy.
Eight other areas recorded unhealthy air quality as of 8am. Samalaju recorded the highest reading among them at 181, followed by Miri at 170, the Industrial Training Institute Miri at 168, Kapit at 164, Bintulu at 162, Limbang at 159, Lawas at 134 and Bario at 114.
Most of the eight areas recorded slight increases compared with Sunday night, although Bintulu, Bario and Lawas bucked the trend. Bintulu’s API dropped from 183 to 162, while Bario fell from 117 to 114. Lawas remained unchanged at 134.
Under the API classification, readings of 301 and above are considered hazardous, while readings between 201 and 300 are categorised as very unhealthy. Levels from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy.
With several areas now in the hazardous category, the deteriorating readings highlight the worsening haze situation across parts of Sarawak and the need for residents to remain alert to changes in air quality.
