PETALING JAYA: Air quality in parts of Sarawak remained unhealthy yesterday, with Samarahan recording the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading as at 6pm.
Real-time data from the Environment Deparment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Samarahan recording an API reading of 156, followed by Kuching at 154.
Both readings were in the unhealthy category, which covers API readings of between 101 and 200.
The readings showed some improvement from earlier in the day, when four areas in Sarawak had recorded unhealthy API readings at 4pm.
Serian recorded the highest reading at 170, followed by Samarahan (158), Kuching (158) and Sri Aman (148).
The haze situation has also led to the cancellation of the Kuching Marathon, which was scheduled for tomorrow.
The Kuching Marathon Association said the decision was made after continuously monitoring API readings and other environmental indicators since haze began affecting the area earlier this month.
In a statement, it said as a gesture of appreciation for their commitment, registered participants can collect their finisher medals and T-shirts from today at the Plaza Merdeka shopping centre.
The association said details on the collection schedule and further instructions would be announced on its official social media channels.
Kuching had recorded an unhealthy API reading of 158 at 3pm yesterday when the cancellation was announced.
The cancellation comes as haze conditions have affected parts of Sarawak for several days, with some areas recording unhealthy API readings during the week.
MetMalaysia forecasts haze in Sarawak this morning, with isolated thunderstorms over inland areas in the afternoon and isolated rain over inland areas at night.
Haze is also forecast in the state tomorrow morning.
The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre said dry conditions were expected to persist over much of the southern Asean region, although showers over parts of Borneo could provide some relief.
The centre has also reported hotspot activity and smoke plumes over parts of Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, with the haze situation remaining elevated in areas experiencing prolonged dry weather.
While three areas in Sarawak remained in the unhealthy category as at 6pm, air quality across the Klang Valley and most of the peninsula remained moderate.
In the Klang Valley, Shah Alam recorded the highest API reading at 83, followed by Johan Setia (79) and Cheras (77).
Other areas in the Klang Valley also recorded moderate readings, including Kuala Selangor (76), Petaling Jaya (74), Batu Muda (72), Putrajaya (71), Klang (70) and Banting (63).
