KUALA LUMPUR: Nine areas across Sarawak recorded unhealthy air quality on Wednesday morning (Aug 12), with Serian logging the state's highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 195 as transboundary haze continues to affect the region.
According to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) at 9:09am, air pollution remained elevated across western and central parts of the state. Kuching registered the second-highest API reading at 172, followed closely by Samarahan at 171.
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Other areas recording unhealthy levels were Sarikei (161), Sri Aman (157), Bintulu (157), Samalaju (153), Sibu (151), and Miri (130).
Meanwhile, four locations maintained moderate air quality: Mukah (99), the Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP) (93), Limbang (76), and Kapit (69).
The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported in its latest haze update that moderate to dense smoke plumes originating from West Kalimantan have been drifting northwards into western Sarawak.
APIMS monitors air quality across 68 stations nationwide, releasing updates hourly. Under the national index, an API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100 is moderate; 101 to 200 is unhealthy; 201 to 300 is very unhealthy; and 300 or above is classified as hazardous.
