Sarawak May Face Haze If Biomass Burning Outside State Intensifies
KUCHING, July 21 (Bernama) -- Sarawak may experience haze in the coming days or weeks if biomass burning continues to intensify beyond the state's borders, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak.
In a statement today, NREB said the state's ambient air quality has shown a rising trend in Air Pollutant Index (API) readings since July 19, and as of 8 am today, 15 areas recorded API readings in the moderate category, while three areas were in the good category.
'No areas have recorded API readings in the unhealthy category so far,' the statement said, adding that the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre reported four hotspots detected in Sarawak between July 14 and yesterday.
However, during the same period, 114 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, Indonesia, with 93 of them recorded in the last two days, on July 19 and 20.
'Given that the country is currently in the southwest monsoon phase, which began on May 10 and is expected to end in September 2025, the region will experience consistent winds from the southwest.
'This condition may lead to potential transboundary haze and deterioration of ambient air quality in Sarawak,' it said.
To address the situation, NREB has activated its haze operations room, conducted field patrols, suspended the issuance of controlled burning permits, and issued notices prohibiting open burning to all project developers.
It has also carried out awareness programmes on the ban of open burning with other agencies to ensure air quality is maintained. In addition, it urged all parties to take joint responsibility in addressing the causes and reducing the risk of haze.
'The public is also advised to take precautions during this hot and dry period, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities and wearing face masks (N95 respirators) when engaging in outdoor activities, especially high-risk groups,' the statement said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Miri's air quality deteriorates, reaching unhealthy levels with API of 139
KUCHING, July 27 — Air quality at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Miri has deteriorated, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) hitting an unhealthy level of 139 as of 4.30pm today. According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), all other monitoring stations in Sarawak recorded moderate air quality, with API readings ranging from 51 to 100. Among the areas nearing the unhealthy threshold were Lundu (95), Kuching (79), Samarahan (77), Sri Aman (75), Samalaju (75), Serian (71), and Sarikei (70). Malaysia classifies an API reading between 51 and 100 as moderate while 101 to 200 as unhealthy. At 10.32am, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre's (ASMC) overnight satellite pass reported to have observed isolated to scattered hotspots in Borneo and Sumatra. Dry weather persisted across much of the southern Asean region overnight, with isolated showers reported over central and southern Sumatra and parts of central and northeastern Borneo. ASMC said slight, localised smoke plumes were seen rising from a few hotspots in western Kalimantan and central Sumatra, although full visibility of the haze and hotspot situation was hindered by cloud cover. 'The full extent of the hotspot and haze situation over the southern Asean region could not be determined due to cloud cover. 'The northern Asean region experienced wet and cloudy conditions, keeping hotspot activity low,' the Centre added. ASMC forecasts continued dry conditions over much of southern Asean in the coming days, with occasional showers expected over parts of Sumatra, Java, and central and eastern Kalimantan. 'While these showers may offer some relief, hotspots and smoke haze may still occur in drier areas, with the possibility of transboundary haze,' ASMC warned. The prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are likely to blow from the southeast to south. 'The northern Asean is forecast to remain wet, which should keep the hotspot and smoke haze situation subdued. The prevailing winds over the northern Asean region are expected to blow mainly from the southwest,' said the Centre. — The Borneo Post
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Miri's air quality reading deteriorates to unhealthy level
The API for Miri has risen over the past few days, recording an unhealthy level at 139 as of 4.30pm today. Source: KUCHING (July 27): Air quality at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Miri has deteriorated, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) hitting an unhealthy level of 139 as of 4.30pm today. According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), all other monitoring stations in Sarawak recorded moderate air quality, with API readings ranging from 51 to 100. Among the areas nearing the unhealthy threshold were Lundu (95), Kuching (79), Samarahan (77), Sri Aman (75), Samalaju (75), Serian (71), and Sarikei (70). Malaysia classifies an API reading between 51 and 100 as moderate while 101 to 200 as unhealthy. At 10.32am, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre's (ASMC) overnight satellite pass reported to have observed isolated to scattered hotspots in Borneo and Sumatra. Dry weather persisted across much of the southern ASEAN region overnight, with isolated showers reported over central and southern Sumatra and parts of central and northeastern Borneo. ASMC said slight, localised smoke plumes were seen rising from a few hotspots in western Kalimantan and central Sumatra, although full visibility of the haze and hotspot situation was hindered by cloud cover. 'The full extent of the hotspot and haze situation over the southern ASEAN region could not be determined due to cloud cover. 'The northern ASEAN region experienced wet and cloudy conditions, keeping hotspot activity low,' the Centre added. ASMC forecasts continued dry conditions over much of southern ASEAN in the coming days, with occasional showers expected over parts of Sumatra, Java, and central and eastern Kalimantan. 'While these showers may offer some relief, hotspots and smoke haze may still occur in drier areas, with the possibility of transboundary haze,' ASMC warned. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are likely to blow from the southeast to south. 'The northern ASEAN is forecast to remain wet, which should keep the hotspot and smoke haze situation subdued. The prevailing winds over the northern ASEAN region are expected to blow mainly from the southwest,' said the Centre. Air Pollutant Index haze hotspot miri
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Massive new forest fire rages in northern Sarawak
MIRI: A forest fire covering over four hectares of land, which is the size of more than 10 football fields combined, is raging in Marudi district in northern Sarawak. The district is about 60km from Miri, the state's second largest city. The blaze started in an agricultural fruit plantation in a locality called Logan Ungalate yesterday evening and has since spread into a forest, said the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba). 'We have deployed firefighting teams from Marudi town to the site,' it said. 'Accessibility is difficult as the fire had spread into a forest. More than 10 acres are burning. 'The agricultural estate management has sent workers and excavators to dig up surrounding areas to create fire-breakers to stop the flames from spreading further,' said Sarawak Bomba in its updates. The affected area is located along the road between Marudi and Miri. Meanwhile, in Mukah district in central Sarawak, another big forest fire that started three days ago is still burning. 'Our fire teams have already doused more than two hectares of the Mukah fire, but about 2.5 hectares are still burning,' said Sarawak Bomba. The Air Pollutant Index level at Miri city was 98 this morning, compared to being in the 70s yesterday. Elsewhere in Sarawak, most parts are seeing API readings in the 70s and 80s today.
