By DayakDaily Team
SERIAN, Sept 6: Serian’s air quality improved to an unhealthy API reading of 185 today, but a decision on whether to recommend emergency status remains pending as cloud-seeding operations in Sarawak have been extended until Sept 7.
In a statement issued today, the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said the Serian air quality monitoring station recorded an API of 185 as of 12pm, with the reading trending downward.
SDMC said monitoring would continue as the API remained influenced primarily by wind direction and the source of hotspots before any recommendation is made to the Sarawak Premier and Prime Minister on the district’s emergency status.
Government and private offices, as well as other workplaces in the affected area, are allowed to continue operating, including industries, plantations, construction sites and quarries, subject to health precautionary measures.
Data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre showed no hotspots in Sarawak as of Sept 5, while 184 were recorded in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The outlook could remain challenging, with METMalaysia forecasting relatively dry conditions across Sarawak from Sept 6 to 12.
Cloud-seeding operations have been extended until Sept 7, focusing on the catchment areas of Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum dams as water levels at the reservoirs remain low.
According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), the operation was initially scheduled from Sept 3 to 5 before the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) approved the two-day extension.
METMalaysia Sarawak director Khairul Najib Ibrahim said previous cloud-seeding operations had produced rainfall in Murum, Bakun, Serian and Batang Ai, although the amount remained below expectations as strong winds pushed most seeded clouds towards neighbouring countries.
He hoped atmospheric conditions would be more favourable during the extended operation to improve rainfall over the targeted dam catchment areas.
Meanwhile, Hydro Sarawak Energy vice-president Jonny Wong Kwei Ji said Murum and Bakun dams were approaching Emergency Level 1, while Batang Ai Dam had reached Emergency Level 3.
Amid the ongoing haze, the public has been advised to avoid outdoor activities and, where exposure is unavoidable, wear an N95 mask or at least a three-ply mask, particularly children, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups. — DayakDaily
