By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Aug 8: As of 11 am today, Kuching experiences the highest API (Ari pollutant index) of 83 compared to other cities and towns in Sarawak.
It was followed by Sri Aman (77), Samarahan and Sibu (76), while Sarikei, 75.
The rest of cities and towns experienced recorded API readings of below 70.
Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh when contacted said the API at this stage was still considered moderately healthy.
“There is no towns or cities that experience API readings of more than 100. So we are okay at the moment.”
Len, however, cautioned that haze situation might get worse in next few days.
“We are expecting the API to increase tomorrow and next few days because the wind will carry the haze to Sarawak from the neighbouring country.
“For Sarawak, we do not have many hotspots here because we do not have open burnings.
“Even though last few days we had one to two hotspots, those were caused by peat fire, not open burnings,” he said.
Len who is also Kuala Rajang Assemblyman said according to the wind pattern and meteorological reports, rain will only come next Tuesday.
“It is predicted that rain will come only next Tuesday. Hopefully, it will happen as predicted.
“And we also hope that the API for next few days will not go up beyond 100. I will continue to monitor the whole situation,” said Len.
API of 0-50 indicates good air quality; 51- 100 is considered moderate; 101-200, unhealthy; 201-300, very unhealthy and above 300, hazardous. — DayakDaily
