Serian town unusually quiet amid thick haze and emergency declaration

SERIAN, September 5 - The normally lively streets of Serian town, bustling with weekend visitors, appeared strikingly subdued today as an emergency had been declared in the area due to an unusual amount of haze. Health concerns had disrupted daily activities, with residents taking precautions to protect their well-being. The Air Pollutant Index (API) readings on the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal revealed a decline from hazardous levels above 500 recorded the previous day, but remained in the dangerous range at 334.

Elton Arib, a resident from Kampung Engkeroh, expressed his astonishment at the stark difference from his usual weekend experience. "Normally, the town is full of people on weekends. But today, it's quiet because of the haze," he remarked, voicing concerns about his children's health as they stay indoors. "We're scared it might affect their health. We're also getting them to drink more boiled water."

The haze has also impacted local businesses. Siti Shahrizan Lamat, a trader aged 25, lamented the decline in customer footfall, causing her family's daily income to plummet. "People are scared to come out because of the haze," she shared. "Sales were really slow yesterday, and this shop is our only regular income." Fruit seller Sakong Lek, 63, had a similar sentiment, hoping for clearer skies. "Even motorcyclists like me have to be very careful. We can’t ride fast because we can’t see clearly," he added.

King, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, granted an emergency declaration across the entire Serian division, citing the hazardous impact on public health and safety. This emergency led to the closure of 647 schools in Sarawak starting September 7, with lessons transitioning to home-based teaching and learning. As of 10 am on September 5, the API reading in Serian was reported at 334 on the Department of Environment’s APIMS portal, although still categorized as hazardous.