Haze in Sri Aman, S'wak breaches hazardous level, API at 369

PETALING JAYA: The haze in Sarawak has hit “hazardous” levels, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in one area having crossed the 300 mark.

According to the Department of Environment’s data, Sri Aman in Sarawak went beyond the 300 level early on Tuesday (Sept 17).

It is the first region to be classified as “hazardous” since the haze started affecting the country this month.

Later in the day at 1pm, the Sri Aman station climbed up to 369, while Kuching hit the 218 mark.

It was reported that the worsening haze situation in Sarawak has forced 298 schools in eight districts to close on Tuesday morning (Sept 17).

Some 128,291 students were affected by the closure of the schools.

Meanwhile, in Selangor, API readings in Johan Setia, Klang, has reached 237.

The poor air quality in Johan Setia, an area that has been battling peatland fires due to agricultural practices, has been aggravated due to the transboundary haze.

Other areas in the country with “very unhealthy” levels include Port Dickson (212) and Nilai (206).

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good while 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above is deemed hazardous.