MIRI: The Air Pollutant Index (API) reading for Miri yesterday morning at 5am soared to 188, which is considered unhealthy.
As at noon, the reading decreased to 172, but is still considered unhealthy.
Over the past few weeks, bushfires and prolonged dry weather have led to increasingly hazy days and suffocating air.
The haze has reportedly blanketed most areas in the city.
“Fortunately, this morning around 11.40am, heavy rain occurred in Kuala Baram and several parts of the area.
“It has helped us in our effort to put out the bushfires,” said Miri Fire and Rescue Zone 6 chief Supt Law Poh Kiong
Law added, yesterday’s operation focused more on the surrounding areas of Curtin Sarawak University whereby three bushfire hotspots have been detected.
“We hope with the rain, it could help us in the operations as currently, smoke can still be seen from the affected areas,” he said.
Five agencies worked on the site yesterday. The operation also included the Miri Bomba air unit.
A total of 68 personnel from Miri Bomba, the army, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia, and Miri Radio Amateur took part in the operation.
The teams have been camping at thru site from as early as 4am.
Meanwhile, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting described the heavy rain as a “miracle”.
“I hope it rains heavily,” he said.
On Thursday, SK Kuala Baram II has been ordered to close following the hazardous bushfires approaching the building.
Such hazardous level of air quality can lead to short-term health effects such as coughing, nausea, sore throat and irritated eyes whereas its long-term impact affects asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and impaired cognitive abilities.
