Mukah records unhealthy API as Sarawak faces moderate air quality
KUCHING (July 28): The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Mukah recorded an unhealthy level as of 3pm today, while other parts of Sarawak recorded moderate air quality, according to the Department of Environment's (DoE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Mukah recorded an API reading of 153, the highest in the state and the country. Any API reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy and may pose health risks to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory conditions.
Elsewhere across the state, API readings remained within the moderate range (51–100). Kuching recorded a reading of 75, followed by Samarahan (54), Serian (58), Sri Aman (55), Sarikei (65), Kapit (51), Sibu (63), Bintulu (69), Samalaju (78), ILP Miri (67), Miri (65), and Limbang (64).
The Department advises the public to reduce outdoor activities and wear face masks when necessary, especially in areas with higher API readings.
The DoE's API is calculated based on the average concentrations of five major pollutants: ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅).
Members of the public are advised to stay updated through official platforms and take necessary precautions, especially in areas experiencing deteriorating air quality and or the latest updates, visit https://apims.doe.gov.my.
Meanwhile, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported a notable drop in hotspot activity across Sabah and Sarawak over the past two days.
A total of 28 hotspots were detected on July 26, but only two were reported on July 27. Data for July 28 has not yet been released.
The ASMC noted that isolated hotspots were still visible in parts of Borneo, Sumatra, and Peninsular Malaysia, with slight to moderate localised smoke plumes observed from some hotspots in western Kalimantan, eastern Peninsular Malaysia, and central Sumatra.
It added that cloud cover over several areas hampered full detection of hotspots and the extent of haze in the region.
Looking ahead, relatively dry conditions are forecast to persist across the southern Asean region, including much of Borneo. Only isolated showers are expected over parts of central and southern Sumatra, Java, and northeastern Borneo.
'Isolated hotspots and smoke haze activities may still occur over drier areas, with a chance of transboundary haze occurrence,' the ASMC said in an update this morning.
The ASMC added that the prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are expected to blow from the southeast to south, which may influence the movement of smoke haze from hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Air Pollutant Index haze lead
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