By Amanda L
KUCHING, Aug 12: Sarawak could get some relief from the haze if rain falls in Kalimantan, where the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has traced the source of the transboundary pollution.
According to NREB deputy chairman Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is also Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, haze from Kalimantan Barat is being carried into Sarawak by winds from the east and south-east before moving towards Kuching.
“Air quality remains unhealthy across much of southern Sarawak, with API readings at 175 in Kuching, 174 in Samarahan, above 200 in Tebedu, 151 in Sibu and 161 in Sri Aman,” he told reporters after the Sarawak Integrity Day 2026 celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Six schools in Tebedu have been temporarily closed today after the area’s API reading exceeded 200, with teaching and learning shifted to Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR). The affected schools are SK Sejijag, SK Sungai Sameran, SK Tepoi, SK Entubuh, SK Temong and SK Tema.
The haze has largely spared northern Sarawak so far with NREB conducting hourly monitoring to track any changes in conditions.
“Based on the weather forecast, there is at least a 30 per cent chance of rain by Friday or Saturday. Hopefully, the rain will help ease the situation.
“Rain in Kalimantan could help weaken the haze reaching Sarawak, as the pollution originates from the area.
“If there is no rain here, there may be rain on the Kalimantan side. If it rains in Kalimantan, that is also good because the source of this haze is from Kalimantan,” he said.
Len added that NREB was continuing to assess the readings and weather conditions before determining whether the situation required further action.
For now, he described the situation as manageable despite most affected areas recording API readings above 100.
“For now, the situation is not yet severe, with the reading still below 200,” he said.
While Pontianak’s API has reached 300, he said he did not expect Sarawak’s readings to reach a similar level for now, with rain forecast over the next two to three days.
Meanwhile, he advised the public, particularly schoolchildren, to limit outdoor activities as NREB continues monitoring the situation for any improvement following the expected rainfall. — DayakDaily
