IPU sangat tak sihat di Sri Aman, 21 kawasan lain terjejas

Air quality in Sarawak's capital, Kuching, deteriorated to a severely unhealthy level with an Air Pollution Index (IPU) reading of 211, the highest in the country, according to the Sarawak Environment and Natural Resources Department (JAS) deputy chief executive, Azuri Azizah Saedon. Of the 45 regions nationwide, 21 recorded unhealthy conditions, while only one area was found to be in good air quality.

Among the areas reporting unhealthy air quality in Sarawak were IPD Serian (182), Sarikei (159), Kuching (157), Bintulu (120), Miri (116), and Sibu (101). In Peninsular Malaysia, unhealthy air quality was detected in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (160); Seberang Perai and Minden, Penang (158); Taiping, Perak (155); Seberang Jaya, Penang (154); Sungai Petani, Kedah (154); Johan Setia, Shah Alam (Selangor) and Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (152).

Azuri attributed the deteriorating air quality to the movement of smoke from various sources, which was confirmed by a satellite image from the Asian Regional Centre for Weather and Climate Services (ASMC) in Singapore. According to the ASMC, 514 hotspots were observed in Kalimantan, 176 in Sumatra, and three in Malaysia, involving Johor, Sarawak, and Terengganu.

The ASMC's Air Quality Monitoring Map for today showed persistent dry weather across most southern Asean regions, with light to moderate smoke present in western Borneo. Additionally, light to heavy smoke was detected in some areas of Kalimantan and the central and southern parts of Sumatra, with several air quality monitoring stations recording unhealthy to hazardous readings.

In response, JAS has intensified daily patrols and intensified efforts in open burning prone areas, while also activating the National Open Burning and Smoke Action Plans. Residents are advised to monitor areas prone to fires, such as waste disposal sites, forests, peatlands, farmlands, and industries, to prevent open burning.