KUCHING: Stable atmospheric condition and dry weather is expected to continue. However, the air quality here remains at a moderate level as of yesterday.
Based on wind patterns, the hazy situation is expected to continue if the hotspots (in Indonesia) continue to persist.
State Environment Department (DOE) senior assistant director (operations) Ahmad Saifful Salihin said based on the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), a total of 29 hotspots in Kalimantan, Indonesia have been detected as of yesterday.
He added that the situation was merely temporary and the department would continue to monitor it.
“The Meteorological Department forecasted that there would be no rainfall in the following days as the winds blowing from southwest is bringing along the smog generated from the forest fires in Indonesia to the state.
Checks on the apims.doe.gov.my website showed that the Air Pollution Index (API) readings in the state registered moderate air quality of between 54 and 81 as of 7pm yesterday.
Samarahan recorded an API of 78, Kuching (75), Sibu (74), Sri Aman (74) while the other regions recorded below 70.
Based on the website, below 50 indicates good air quality, 51–100 (moderate), 101–200 (unhealthy), 201–300 (very unhealthy) and more than 300 is considered hazardous.
Meanwhile, state Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) assistant operations director Tiong Ling Hii when contacted by the New Sarawak Tribune yesterday said a total of eight reports of bush fires were recorded throughout the state.
