KUCHING: Residents in Serian are deeply concerned about the hazy conditions in which the air quality has deteriorated drastically to hazardous levels.
Serian District Council chairman Datuk Peter Minos said many people were complaining of sore throats and coughing.
“My councillors, staff and the Serian public are worried and not happy with the haze situation.
“Visibility is very bad and I cannot see the mountain behind my office. This haze is dreadful and getting on our nerves,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Minos said the people were unhappy about the occurrence of burning across the border, believed to be the cause of the haze.
He, however, urged the public to stay calm, wear face masks when outdoors, drink plenty of water and see the doctor if feeling unwell.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) hit 412 in Serian at noon yesterday, well above the hazardous threshold of 300.
Samarahan and Kuching also recorded hazardous levels of 332 and 304, respectively, while Sri Aman was at very unhealthy level with a reading of 228.
Trader Farah Abdullah said the hazy conditions had disrupted her business.
“People are not coming out and my sales have dropped,” she said.
She added that traders like her were suffering losses as they still had to pay rent, transport and supply costs.
Photographer Lance Dunstan said the hazardous air quality in Serian was very worrying.
“At 11.30am, it looked like there was a thick fog outside the house. I could even smell the smoke while staying indoors.
“I’m most concerned about the effects of the haze on my elderly mother, who has asthma,” he said.
To cope with the situation, Lance said his family had closed all the windows, spent more time indoors and stayed hydrated.
