PETALING JAYA: While the air quality has improved slightly in Serian Division, which is currently under a state of emergency, Sarawak continues to bear the brunt of the haze, with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings soaring beyond the 200 mark.
These readings were recorded in Kuching (271), Sri Aman (237), Samarahan (211), Bintulu (210) and Samalaju (208), ILP Miri (191), Mukah (189), Miri (184), Sarikei (180), Sibu (176), Limbang (162) and Kapit (152).
The API reading in Serian dropped to 334 at 10am yesterday, down from 519 on Friday.
According to the Department of Environment API Management System (Apims) website (as of 5pm yesterday), deteriorating air quality has spread nationwide, hitting most states.
Only 26 areas had moderate readings, between 99 and 51, while 10 stations reported good readings.
In Sabah, unhealthy API levels were noted in Kimanis (170), Labuan Federal Territory (170) and Kota Kinabalu (157).
Over in Johor, the Tangkak (158), Batu Pahat (157), Segamat (156), Kluang (155) and Larkin (152) stations all recorded unhealthy levels.
Other areas with unhealthy levels included Bukit Rambai (158), Alor Gajah (155) and Bandaraya Melaka (111) in Melaka, and Nilai (156), Seremban (155) and Port Dickson (114) in Negri Sembilan.
Johan Setia (159) and Banting (150) stations in Selangor also recorded unhealthy API levels, as did Balok Baru Kuantan in Pahang (149) and Putrajaya, Federal Territory (151).
Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported that dry weather prevailed over most parts of the southern Asean region overnight, except over the northwestern parts of Borneo, where showers were observed.
In its update (as of 11.08am yesterday), the centre said scattered to widespread hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and Sumatra, and a few were detected elsewhere in the southern Asean region.
“Moderate to dense smoke plumes were also observed emanating from hotspots clusters detected in many parts of Kalimantan, as well as the central and southern parts of Sumatra.
Moderate smoke haze was also observed over Singapore and the southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the northern parts of Borneo.
“Many air quality stations in Borneo are reporting Unhealthy to Hazardous levels, while several air quality stations in Sumatra, Singapore and southern Peninsular Malaysia are reporting Unhealthy levels,” it stated.
However, it pointed out that the full extent of the hotspots and haze situation in the region could not be determined due to cloud cover.
This was due to showers prevailing over the northern Asean region overnight, except over the central parts of the Mekong sub- region, where it was relatively drier.
The hotspot and smoke haze situation in the region remained subdued, the centre said.
In terms of outlook, the centre said that in the coming days, dry conditions are expected over most parts of the southern Asean region, except over the northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, as well as some parts of Borneo, where showers are forecast.
“The hotspot and smoke haze situation may continue to stay elevated in areas experiencing prolonged periods of dry weather, with a continued risk of severe transboundary haze occurring.
“The prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are forecast to blow from the south-east to south-west.
“On the other hand, wet weather is expected to persist over the northern Asean region, which helps to keep the hotspot and smoke haze situation subdued.
“The prevailing winds over the northern Asean region are forecast to blow from the south-west to west,” the ASMC said.
