Transboundary haze from Kalimantan affects Sarawak; API readings remain moderate
KUCHING (July 27): Moderate transboundary smoke haze was observed to blow northwards from western Kalimantan to western Sarawak, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported yesterday.
The Centre said moderate smoke plumes were also observed in southern and eastern Kalimantan and western Sarawak.
Scattered hotspots were detected in northern and western Borneo while isolated hotspots were detected mainly in the northern and southern parts of Sumatra.
ASMC said dry conditions were observed over many parts of the southern Asean region yesterday with the exception of showers observed over parts of central Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia.
For the northern Asean region, widespread showers were observed and hotspot activities remain subdued, it added.
Wet weather is forecast to continue over most parts of the northern Asean region with increased showers expected over northern Philippines.
Given this, ASMC said hotspot and haze activities are expected to remain low over the region.
'The prevailing winds over the northern Asean region are forecast to blow mainly from the southwest,' added the Centre.
According to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Sarawak recorded moderate air quality across all monitored areas as of 8am today.
Miri had the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 98, followed by Kuching (81), Samarahan (78), Bintulu (77), Sri Aman (75), Serian (73), Sarikei (69), Sibu (65), Kapit (65) and Mukah (64).
Under Malaysia's API classification, a reading between 51 and 100 is considered moderate while 101 to 200 is categorised as unhealthy.
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