By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 25: Air quality in Kuching city has reached an unhealthy level today, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) climbing to 111 over the past three hours.
The index rose by 13 points from 98 recorded at 12pm, prompting health concerns and increased monitoring by environmental authorities.
Sri Aman followed closely at 96, while Samarahan and Mukah both registered readings of 92, which are still within the moderate range but nearing the unhealthy threshold.
API readings between 51 and 100 are classified as moderate, generally safe for the public, although sensitive groups may experience mild health effects.
The API system in Malaysia categorises air quality into five levels: good (0–50), moderate (51–100), unhealthy (101–200), very unhealthy (201–300), and hazardous (above 300).
Earlier today, the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) identified Lundu and Tebedu as high-risk areas for further air quality decline.
As of 8am, Lundu recorded an API of 125, already in the unhealthy range, while Tebedu remained at a moderate level of 69.
NREB attributed the worsening air quality to an increasing number of hotspots in neighbouring Indonesia, particularly in regions close to Sarawak’s southern border.
Should conditions deteriorate further, NREB will coordinate with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and other relevant authorities to issue necessary updates, including possible school closures if the API surpasses the threshold set by the Ministry of Education.
The public is strongly advised to avoid open burning, especially during the current dry spell, and to report any such activity to the nearest NREB office or via the hotlines at 082-447488 or 082-319500. — DayakDaily
