Kuching’s Air Pollutant Index hits 125, second highest in M’sia as Serian tops at 152

KUCHING (Sept 6): The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Kuching rose to an unhealthy 125 at 6pm today, the second highest in the country after Serian.

Serian’s API reading at 6pm was 152.

An API reading of 51 to 100 is considered moderate, while API readings of 101 to 200 are categorised as unhealthy.

API readings in other parts of the state remained moderate.

The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) said earlier today that the air quality in Sarawak was expected to deteriorate given the current southwest monsoon season, which would see consistent winds from the southwest.

NREB controller Jack Liam when contacted earlier said 20 open burning hotspots were detected in Sarawak while 1,825 in Kalimantan based on data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC).