PETALING JAYA: Sarawak is bearing the brunt of deteriorating air quality, with 10 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, while one area in Melaka breached the unhealthy threshold.
The unhealthy API readings in Sarawak were noted in Serian (198), Kuching (191), Samarahan (178), Sri Aman (179), Sarikei (168), Sibu (158), Mukah (158), Bintulu (156), Samalaju (153) and Miri (110).
In Melaka, Bukit Rambai recorded an unhealthy API reading of 152, while 57 stations across the country had moderate readings ranging between 55 and 99.
Air quality remained degraded nationwide yesterday as none of the Department of Environment’s 68 monitoring stations recorded a “Good” (API) reading as of 5pm.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a warning yesterday afternoon for severe weather – including thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds until 7pm – across parts of Kelantan, Sarawak, and Sabah.
Affected areas included Gua Musang and Jeli in Kelantan; Sibu, Sarikei, Belaga, Tanjung Manis and Tatau in Sarawak; and Sook, Keningau, Lahad Datu, Paitan, Labuk and Sugut in Sabah.
Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), as of 11am yesterday, stated that dry conditions were observed over the southern Asean region yesterday, with clusters of hotspots detected in parts of Kalimantan.
Isolated hotspots were also detected in central and southern Sumatra, while a few hotspots were recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, Sulawesi and Java.
The ASMC said moderate smoke plumes were observed over central and southern Sumatra, while moderate haze was detected in western Borneo.
The centre also warned that the escalating hotspot and haze situation could increase the likelihood of transboundary haze, particularly in areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions.
Prevailing winds in the southern region were forecast to blow from the south-east or south.
