Latest news with #NaturalResourcesandEnvironmentBoard
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Sarawak disaster committees on alert amid hot dry weather
KUCHING: District and divisional-level Disaster Management Committees (JPBN) in Sarawak have been instructed to remain vigilant due to the ongoing hot and dry weather. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who chairs the state JPBN, emphasised the need for continuous monitoring as the conditions heighten fire and haze risks. 'The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) will also be using drone technology to monitor areas where smoke may be detected. 'We have also requested the resident offices to monitor the current situation,' Uggah said after launching the Borneo International Integrity Summit 2025. He added that reports of water shortages in several villages have prompted action from the Sarawak Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) and the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB). 'We are convening a meeting soon to assess the situation, especially the water shortage, which is a serious issue. Our machinery must be ready to address these challenges effectively,' he said. – Bernama
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Sarawak schools urged to limit outdoor activities amid haze
KUCHING: Schools across Sarawak have been instructed to minimise outdoor activities as haze and hot weather persist, raising health concerns for students. State Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah emphasised the need for precautionary measures, particularly for vulnerable children. Fatimah advised that extracurricular programmes should be moved indoors where possible. 'The current air quality is unsafe due to haze. Outdoor activities should be avoided,' she said after the Petronas Empowering Knowledge 2025 Education Sponsorship Award ceremony. She highlighted the risks for students with respiratory conditions, urging them to wear face masks. 'Children with asthma need special attention. We strongly encourage mask usage as a precaution,' she added. Schools have also been directed to monitor Air Pollution Index (API) readings regularly and adjust activities accordingly. As of 8 am today, Lundu recorded the highest API reading at 88, up from 79 the previous evening. Kuching's API remained stable at 74. The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) confirmed moderate air quality across all 18 monitoring stations in Sarawak. – Bernama
Borneo Post
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
NREB records moderate air quality at all 18 API stations across Sarawak as of 8am
KUCHING (July 29): The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has detected moderate air quality at all 18 of its stations throughout Sarawak this morning. As of 8am, Lundu recorded an air pollutant index (API) reading of 88 – the highest among the 18 stations – compared to 79 at 4pm yesterday. The lowest API reading at 8am of 52 was recorded in Lubok Antu, which recorded a reading of 45 at 4pm yesterday. Meanwhile, Sibu and Miri registered API readings of 75 and 68 respectively at 8am today compared to 63 and 68 at 4pm yesterday. Kuching's API reading this morning was unchanged from the 74 recorded at 4pm yesterday. An NREB spokesperson said the board uses Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) in Lundu, Tebedu, Lubok Antu, Lawas, and Bario, while the other 13 stations in the state use the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) under the Department of Environment (DoE). According to the NREB website, a reading of 0 to 50 is considered good – low pollution without any bad effect on health, while a reading of 51 to 100 is considered moderate – moderate pollution that does not pose any bad effects on health. An unhealthy status of 101 to 200 is said to worsen the health condition of high risk individuals such as those with heart and lung complications. The very unhealthy level of 201 to 300 is said to affect public health, worsening the health condition of those with heart and lung complications. Any reading above 300 is hazardous and will endanger the public, especially high risk individuals.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Unhealthy air in Lundu as API stands at 113, rest of Sarawak report moderate readings as of 8am
Visibility has dropped as haze begins to settle over the city. – Photo by Rosytein Emmor KUCHING (July 26): The air quality in Lundu remained at an unhealthy level this morning, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded at 113 as of 8am, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) website. In contrast, all other monitored areas in Sarawak reported moderate API readings. Areas with readings closer to unhealthy levels were Kuching (98), Samarahan (90) and Bintulu (80). An API reading of 51 to 100 is considered moderate, while API readings of 101 to 200 are categorised as unhealthy. Air Pollutant Index haze Natural Resources and Environment Board
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Air quality in Lundu unhealthy at 125, API readings in other areas of Sarawak still moderate
Hazy conditions are seen in Kuching on July 24, 2025. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 25): Air quality in Lundu has deteriorated to an unhealthy level, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 125 as of 8am. According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) website, the API readings for all other areas in the state remained moderate, although the API in Kuching (94), Sri Aman (91), and Mukah (90) were rising closer to unhealthy levels. An API reading of 51 to 100 is considered moderate, while API readings of 101 to 200 are categorised as unhealthy. Based on yesterday's Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) findings, air quality in Sarawak is expected to deteriorate given the large number of hotspots due to open burning detected near and across the Sarawak-Kalimantan Barat border near Lundu. The ASMC Satellite also detected hotspots across several areas in Sarawak this week, particularly in the western and central regions. Clusters of hotspots were observed in Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, and Betong divisions, with more detected south of Sibu and scattered near Kapit. Smaller numbers appeared near Mukah and northeast of Bintulu. ASMC in its website reported that dry weather persisted over the southern Asean region, including Sarawak, and only a few isolated hotspots were detected in Sarawak and Sumatra, while scattered hotspots were observed in Kalimantan. Related story: ASMC: Fire hotspots detected in Sarawak, air quality still moderate
