Hanya Samarahan catat IPU sangat tak sihat

Sarawak's air quality has reached a concerning level, with Samarahan being the sole district to record a "severely unhealthy" index of 222 as of 7:30 AM. Eleven other districts in Sarawak, out of 40 nationwide locations monitored, reported unhealthy air quality indices below 200, including Sarikei (193), Kuching and Serian (both 192), Sri Aman (184), Mukah and Sibu (both 182), Samalaju (180), Bintulu (172), Miri Industrial Training Centre (170), Miri (166), and Limbang (150).

A total of 24 other districts across the country recorded moderate air quality, while Langkawi and Kangar achieved good quality, with readings of 44 and 41 respectively. An Air Pollution Index (IPU) reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 indicates moderate, 101 to 200 indicates unhealthy, 201 to 300 indicates severely unhealthy, and readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.

Just last Friday, an emergency was declared in Serian following an IPU reading exceeding 500. The Sarawak Education Department announced last week that all 710 primary and secondary schools in the state would be closed starting today until September 11 due to air pollution, with homeschooling being conducted throughout that period.

All these schools fall under the jurisdiction of the Kuching Division of the Sarawak Education Department, including Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Julau, Meradong, Bintulu, and Tatau/Sebauh.