Hanya 2 kawasan di Sarawak catat IPU sangat tak sihat

The air pollution situation in Sarawak is gradually improving, with only two areas currently reporting extremely unhealthy levels, according to the index of particulate matter (IPU) as of 9:30 AM today. Kuching and Sri Aman recorded IPU values of 229 and 216 respectively. Ten additional areas in Sarawak, including recently declared emergency zones like Serian, represent 35 of the 66 areas nationwide with unhealthy IPU readings.

Samalaju recorded an IPU of 200, while Bintulu, Mukah, Samarahan, Sarikei, Miri Industrial Training Institute, Serian, Sibu, Miri, and Limbang reported 199, 196, 193, 189, 183, 183, 176, and 161 respectively. Twenty-three other areas recorded moderate pollution, and eight areas have good air quality. The IPU range of 0-50 indicates good air quality, 51-100 moderate, 101-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy, and over 300 hazardous.

Last Friday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, approved the declaration of emergency in Serian after its IPU reading exceeded 500. Subsequently, the Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) announced the closure of 647 primary and secondary schools in Serian from September 7 to 11, with home-based learning to be conducted throughout the five-day period.

Earlier, JPNS announced the closure of 54 primary schools and nine secondary schools under the jurisdiction of Bintulu and Tatau/Sebauh District Education Offices in Sarawak from September 7 to 11 due to air pollution.