KUCHING: The Air Pollutant Index (API) at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Miri remained at ‘hazardous’ level (396) as of 6pm yesterday.
The forest and peat land fires in Kuala Baram affecting over 600 hectares contributed to the poor air quality.
Other places in Sarawak, majority of API stations recorded moderate readings of between
58 and 96 however, some stations recorded readings ascending towards the unhealthy level.
Miri recorded API reading of 96, Samarahan (92), Kuching (84), Sibu (78), Sarikei (72), Sri Aman (86) Limbang (58), Samalaju (71), Bintulu (77), Mukah (88) and Kapit (64).
The API is categorised as ‘good’ from 0 to 50, ‘moderate’ (51 to 100), ‘unhealthy’ (101 to 200), ‘very unhealthy’ (201 to 300), and ‘hazardous’ (301 and above).
The state Fire and Rescue Department recorded 276 forest and peat land fires since Aug 1, including 35 cases detected yesterday.
Meanwhile, a check with the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre’s (ASMC) website showed more than 100 hotspots in Kalimantan, Indonesia including 15 hotspots in Sarawak.
