General : Haze: Serian Records Very Unhealthy Air Quality

KUCHING, Sept 24: The air quality in Lundu plummeted to the 'Very Unhealthy' level today, joining Serian and Kanowit as three locations in Sarawak with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings exceeding 200. The Natural Resources and Environment Board's (NREB) API readings at 8am showed Lundu at 223, a significant rise from 163 at 6pm on Wednesday.

Serian's reading climbed from 201 to 218, and Kanowit increased slightly from 211 to 216. Both Serian and Kanowit remained in the 'Very Unhealthy' category. Kuching still recorded 'Unhealthy' air quality, with its API rising from 185 to 195. Tebedu also increased from 176 to 194, while Samarahan climbed from 182 to 188. Lubok Antu remained at 191.

Other areas classified as 'Unhealthy' were Belaga (171), Betong (170), Bintulu (170), Sri Aman (168), Samalaju (163), Sarikei (158), Sibu (158), Mukah (151), and Miri (114). Five locations recorded 'Moderate' air quality after improvements overnight. Kapit's API dropped from 121 to 100, ILP Miri decreased from 154 to 95, Limbang reduced from 153 to 90, and Lawas fell from 138 to 84, all exiting the 'Unhealthy' category.

Bario stayed in the 'Moderate' category, with a lower reading of 64 compared to 76 at 6pm yesterday. The API classification system designates readings of 0-50 as Good, 51-100 as Moderate, 101-200 as Unhealthy, and 201-300 as Very Unhealthy.