By Nancy Nais
SRI AMAN, August 14: The air quality in Sri Aman continues to deteriorate and has reached the ‘very unhealthy’ classification today.
According to the Department of Environment’s air pollutant index (API), as at 12noon, the reading has reached 245.
Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Miri (361), SK Kuala Baram 2 (270) and Sri Aman are the three areas that have recorded the highest in API reading.
This is followed by Miri city with a reading of 126.
An API reading of 0 to 50 is healthy, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 301 and above is considered hazardous.
The air quality at ILP Miri remains at ‘hazardous’ with the API increasing, compared to 340 recorded yesterday.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) assistant director of operations Tiong Ling Hii said they have recorded 406 cases of forest, peatland and bush fires statewide since August 1.
A total of 1,125 acres of land have been ravaged by fire.
Miri fire chief Law Poh Kiong said firefighting operations resume today, where they will be putting out fires around the Hamidah Yaakop Welfare Complex (40 acres), ILP Miri (50 acres), and the Kuala Baram-Permyjaya highway (115 acres). — DayakDaily
