KUCHING: The air quality in several areas in Sarawak recorded a moderate level due to the transboundary haze from Kalimantan.
Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak Controller of Environmental Quality Justine Jok Jau Emang said as of Aug 9 (Sunday), the air quality monitoring stations in the state recorded the air quality readings in Kuching at 57, Bintulu (51), Miri (60), Sri Aman (52), and Lundu (54).
He said for other divisions, the air quality recorded is still good with a reading of 50 and below.
“As of Aug 8 (Saturday), the number of hotspots detected in Kalimantan was 185, Sumatra (six), Sarawak (40) and Sabah (five),” he told New Sarawak Tribune on Monday.
He said as of Aug 9 for Sarawak, only one hotspot was detected.
“We are now experiencing the southwest monsoon season which take places from late May to September. Less rainfall is expected until the change into the northeast monsoon that is the wet season.
“Therefore, in view of the hot and dry weather conditions, the public are advised to avoid unnecessary open burning,” he said.
He said any open burnings at the time could result in the fire becoming uncontrollable as the fire weather index (FWI) in the northern region of Sarawak is indicating a higher risk.
FWI is often used to indicate fire control difficulties based on fire intensity and firefighting ability.
“NREB also will not issue any permit to plantation developers to conduct open burning as the state is expecting haze,” he said.
Justine also appeals to the public to report any incidents of open burning by reporting it to the nearest NREB offices or to the public hotline at 013-7595866.
An air pollutant index (API) reading of zero to 50 is categorises as good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and 301 and above is hazardous.
