Sarawak: The number of areas in Sarawak recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings due to transboundary haze rose to nine this morning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the affected areas include Kuching and Samarahan, both recording an API of 161. Serian reported an API reading of 179, the highest among the affected regions. Other areas with unhealthy air quality include Sri Aman and Sarikei, each with an API of 155, Sibu at 158, Mukah at 156, Bintulu at 142, and Samalaju at 141.

An API reading provides insight into the air quality, with values ranging from zero to 50 indicating good air quality, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and any reading above 300 is considered hazardous. The API data is updated hourly, utilizing information from 68 air quality monitoring stations across the nation.