Haze remains mostly transboundary

KUCHING: The haze affecting Sarawak remains predominantly transboundary, driven by smoke from hotspots in Kalimantan carried into the state by prevailing winds.

The latest data from Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) recorded 874 new hotspots in Kalimantan and seven in Sarawak today (Sept 20).

NREB Controller of Environmental Quality Datuk Jack Liam said the assessment remained unchanged, with the Southwest Monsoon expected to continue until the end of September.

“The situation would continue to be monitored based on hotspot activity, meteorological conditions, smoke movement and air quality observations across Sarawak,” he said.

Meanwhile, NREB data as of 3 pm on Sunday showed unhealthy air quality at 14 monitoring stations across Sarawak, with Lubok Antu recording the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 198, up from 180 yesterday.
Serian recorded 174, Samarahan 169 and Kuching 166.

Sri Aman recorded 157, down from 172 yesterday, while Sarikei improved from 152 to 98, moving from unhealthy to moderate.

Other unhealthy readings were recorded in Betong at 160, Sibu at 152, Bintulu at 155, Samalaju at 125, Miri at 153, Limbang at 109, Lundu at 120, Tebedu at 153 and Kanowit at 155.

Kapit, ILP Miri, Lawas and Bario recorded moderate readings at 86, 100, 75 and 82 respectively, while Mukah had no latest data.

Overall, most monitoring stations across Sarawak continued to record unhealthy air quality.