KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — The Air Pollution Index (API) reading at Serian station in Sarawak reached 227 (very unhealthy) as of 2pm today, while nine other areas in the state recorded unhealthy readings.

Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (development) Azuri Azizah Saedon said Sri Aman recorded the second-highest API reading at 187, followed by Kuching (176), Samarahan (175), Sarikei (174), Sibu (157), Bintulu and Samalaju (154), as well as Kapit and Mukah (130).

She said air quality nationwide had deteriorated today, with an increase in areas recording unhealthy API readings in Sarawak due to haze moving in from various directions.

Based on a report by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on August 20, a total of 288 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, 53 in Sumatra and two in Malaysia, with one each in Sarawak and Terengganu.

She said the Regional Haze Map issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) today showed continued dry weather conditions across most parts of the southern Asean region, except for northeastern Borneo and northern Sumatra, which experienced rainfall.

“Hotspots were detected extensively in Kalimantan, while several isolated hotspots were detected in other parts of the southern Asean region.

“Moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes were observed in West Kalimantan and moving northwards into western Sarawak,” she said in a statement today, adding that the DOE had stepped up enforcement efforts and daily patrols in areas with potential for open burning, in addition to monitoring API readings.

“The National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate action among government agencies in addressing open burning and dealing with the national haze situation,” she said.

The public is advised not to engage in open burning and to report any incidents of open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia at 999, or to the DOE at 1-800-88-2727. — Bernama