Kuching: Three areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 11 am today, with the Serian district police headquarters (IPD) topping the list at 162. Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon highlighted that Samarahan and Kuching also reported API readings of 155 and 132, respectively, attributing the situation to haze smoke moving in from various directions.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 65 other areas recorded moderate air quality levels. Azuri Azizah noted that the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) report on August 15 detected 132 hotspots in Kalimantan, 115 in Sumatra, and six in Malaysia, with one each in Melaka and Johor and two each in Sarawak and Sabah.

Azuri Azizah detailed that the Regional Haze Map released by ASMC revealed hotspots scattered across most of Kalimantan, with isolated hotspots also found on Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and southern Sumatra. Moderate smoke plumes were noted over southern and western Kalimantan, while light, localized smoke plumes were seen in southern and central Sumatra. However, she pointed out that widespread cloud cover hindered observation of the current hotspot and haze situation.

She further mentioned that the DOE has intensified enforcement and daily patrols in areas prone to open burning and continues to monitor API readings regularly. The National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agencies' actions in managing open burning and the haze situation.

The public is urged to refrain from open burning and to report any such activities or fire incidents immediately to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the DOE at 1-800-88-2727.