Haze in south western Beaufort improves, schools set to reopen

KOTA KINABALU: The haze situation in south western Beaufort area improved further Tuesday and schools are set to reopen Wednesday.

Sabah Education Department deputy director Maimunah Suhaidul said that schools, which were closed for the last two days, would be reopened after the Air Pollutant Index dropped to a healthier 95 level from the "very unhealthy" level of 300 three days ago.

"The situation has improved and all schools which were ordered close in the affected area since Monday will open on Wednesday,’’ she said in brief statement.

A total of  83  primary and secondary schools with over 20,000 students in Beaufort, Kuala Penyu and Papar were closed for two days since Monday following severe unhealthy levels due to localised fires in the south western Beaufort area.

When contacted on Monday, Beaufort district officer Mohd Shaid Othman said that an hour of rain late Tuesday  evening did not help to put out the fire in the Beaufort area.

"It was heavy but not enough to put out the big and small fires in our district. May be a good six hour rain will help,’’ he said, adding that some low lying areas in the town was hit by flash floods.

Shaid said they were inspecting various areas affected by the fires that has wiped out large tracts of farming land and also the Binusluk Forest Reserve where peat fires continue to simmer.

Kota Kinabalu air pollutant index reading was put at 66 at 11am Tuesday.