Sarawak air quality remains poor as Lubok Antu API surges to 202, Kanowit 203

The Kuching skyline is obscured by haze on Sept 8, 2026. Photo: DayakDaily

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 23: Lubok Antu’s Air Pollutant Index (API) climbed to 202 this morning, up from 155 at 10am yesterday (Sept 22), placing the area back in the ‘very unhealthy’ category.

The latest reading also puts Lubok Antu among the areas recording elevated air pollution across Sarawak, with Kanowit registering the State’s highest API reading at 203.

According to the data from the Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak (NREB), air quality remained poor across the State, with 21 of the 23 monitoring stations recording API readings in either the ‘unhealthy’ or ‘very unhealthy’ categories.

Eighteen other areas were classified as ‘unhealthy’, with readings recorded at Serian (182), Kuching (176), Sri Aman (180), Betong (180), Belaga (173), Samarahan (170), Sibu (170), Sarikei (169), Bintulu (169), Mukah (161), Samalaju (160), Miri (160), ILP Miri (157), Tebedu (155), Limbang (152), Lawas (127), Kapit (122) and Lundu (114).

Bario was the only monitoring station recording ‘moderate’ air quality, with an API reading of 74.

NREB advises high-risk groups, including children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, to limit outdoor activities when API readings reach the ‘unhealthy’ or ‘very unhealthy’ categories.

The general public is also advised to reduce prolonged exposure to outdoor air during periods of elevated pollution. – DayakDaily