By Nancy Nais
MIRI, Aug 22: SK Kuala Baram II and SJK Chung Hua Tudan were ordered to close at 9am today due to severe haze from forest and peat fires.
The directive from the state Education Department affected a total of 1,906 students and 109 teachers.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee Secretariat from the Civil Defence Force, Major Ismail Mahedin said the two schools have been shut for a day for health precaution as the Air Pollutants Index (API) rose from unhealthy to very unhealthy level this morning.
API reading for ILP Miri has reached 404, in which SJK Chung Hua Tudan is located nearby, while API in Kuala Baram has spiked to 204.
An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100 moderate; 101 to 200 unhealthy; 201 to 300 very unhealthy; and 300 and above is hazardous.
According to standard operating procedures (SOPs), Ismail said in a media release that schools had been given the authority to decide to close school or restrict outdoor activities when the API reached 200.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Air Unit continued to carry out aerial water bombing to contain raging fire at sector two of ILP in Kuala Baram district to control the flames from spreading.
Firefighters were also on the ground to fight the flames on peat soils.
A Bombardier CL415 water bomber belonging to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has also helped contain the fires since Aug 15.— DayakDaily
