Sarawak still grapples with haze


A breath of relief: Hazy skies seen over Kuching. Showers and cloudy skies offered some relief from worsening hotspots and haze in the southern Asean region yesterday, although hazardous air quality persisted in parts of Indonesian Borneo. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak continued to struggle with haze, with unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings recorded in several areas.

According to the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System, the readings were Serian (183), Sarikei (182), Samarahan (176), Kuching (175), Samalaju (165), Sri Aman (157), Sibu (155) and Mukah (154).

Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded an unhealthy reading of 167, while Larkin and Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded 119 and 112 respectively.

A total of 52 monitoring stations nationwide recorded mode­rate readings yesterday, ranging from 52 to 95.

Five stations in Kedah, Perlis and Penang recorded good air quality – Kulim Hi-Tech (47), Langkawi (30), Alor Setar (43), Kangar (30) and Balik Pulau (34).

The Asean Specialised Meteo­rological Centre said showers and cloudy conditions were observed over many parts of the southern Asean region yesterday morning, offering some relief from the worsening hotspot and smoke haze situation, although hazar­dous air quality readings were still recorded in parts of Indonesian Borneo.

In an update issued at 10.52am yesterday, the centre said overnight satellite imagery had detected clusters of scattered hotspots across central and southern Sumatra, as well as parts of West and Central Kalimantan.

“Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed emana­ting from hotspots in the southern parts of Sumatra and Kali­mantan,” it said.

“A few air quality stations in West and Central Kalimantan are reporting hazardous levels, while stations in southern Sumatra, Sarawak and southern Peninsular Malaysia are reporting unhealthy levels.

“However, the full extent of the hotspot and haze situation could not be determined due to extensive cloud cover over the southern Asean region,” it added.

It added that showers in other parts of the southern Asean region might provide some relief, but the risk of transboundary haze remained, particularly in areas facing prolonged dry conditions.

Prevailing winds were forecast to blow from the southeast or south, potentially carrying smoke towards neighbouring areas depending on local weather patterns.

Meanwhile, the National Water Services Commission reported that three of the 49 dams nationwide were at critical levels as of yesterday – Sungai Pagar in Labuan, Lebam in Johor and Muda in Kedah.

Dams at warning levels inclu­ded Bukit Kuda in Labuan; Ahning in Kedah; and Gunung Pulai 1, Gunung Pulai 2, Upper Layang, Lower Layang and Pontian Kechil in Johor.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak continued to struggle with haze, with unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings recorded in several areas.

According to the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System, the readings were Serian (183), Sarikei (182), Samarahan (176), Kuching (175), Samalaju (165), Sri Aman (157), Sibu (155) and Mukah (154).

Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded an unhealthy reading of 167, while Larkin and Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded 119 and 112 respectively.

A total of 52 monitoring stations nationwide recorded mode­rate readings yesterday, ranging from 52 to 95.

Five stations in Kedah, Perlis and Penang recorded good air quality – Kulim Hi-Tech (47), Langkawi (30), Alor Setar (43), Kangar (30) and Balik Pulau (34).

The Asean Specialised Meteo­rological Centre said showers and cloudy conditions were observed over many parts of the southern Asean region yesterday morning, offering some relief from the worsening hotspot and smoke haze situation, although hazar­dous air quality readings were still recorded in parts of Indonesian Borneo.

In an update issued at 10.52am yesterday, the centre said overnight satellite imagery had detected clusters of scattered hotspots across central and southern Sumatra, as well as parts of West and Central Kalimantan.

“Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed emana­ting from hotspots in the southern parts of Sumatra and Kali­mantan,” it said.

“A few air quality stations in West and Central Kalimantan are reporting hazardous levels, while stations in southern Sumatra, Sarawak and southern Peninsular Malaysia are reporting unhealthy levels.

“However, the full extent of the hotspot and haze situation could not be determined due to extensive cloud cover over the southern Asean region,” it added.

It added that showers in other parts of the southern Asean region might provide some relief, but the risk of transboundary haze remained, particularly in areas facing prolonged dry conditions.

Prevailing winds were forecast to blow from the southeast or south, potentially carrying smoke towards neighbouring areas depending on local weather patterns.

Meanwhile, the National Water Services Commission reported that three of the 49 dams nationwide were at critical levels as of yesterday – Sungai Pagar in Labuan, Lebam in Johor and Muda in Kedah.

Dams at warning levels inclu­ded Bukit Kuda in Labuan; Ahning in Kedah; and Gunung Pulai 1, Gunung Pulai 2, Upper Layang, Lower Layang and Pontian Kechil in Johor.

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