Unhealthy air quality hits seven areas in Sarawak, Selangor

Air quality in six areas in Sarawak and one in Selangor has dipped into unhealthy levels, with readings on the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeding 150 in several locations on August 9. Serian in Sarawak recorded the highest API at 171, followed by Samarahan at 156 and Bintulu at 155. Johan Setia in Selangor also registered an unhealthy API of 151.

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The hotspot and smoke haze situation may escalate in fire-prone regions experiencing prolonged dry conditions, with a risk of transboundary haze occurrence.

The Regional Haze Situation report from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) forecasts continued dry conditions across much of the southern ASEAN region. This increases the likelihood of escalating hotspot activity and transboundary haze, particularly in fire-prone areas experiencing prolonged dryness.

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Moderate transboundary smoke plumes were observed in West Kalimantan, drifting northwards into the western parts of Sarawak.

Prevailing winds are expected to blow from the southeast or south, carrying smoke plumes. Moderate transboundary smoke has already been observed drifting from West Kalimantan into western Sarawak. The ASMC noted that air quality stations in parts of West and Central Kalimantan, and western Sarawak, have recorded unhealthy levels. Forest fires have been reported on Sumatra and Borneo since the start of the month, a common occurrence during dry spells that frequently blankets Malaysia in haze.

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A few air quality stations in West and Central Kalimantan, and the central and western parts of Sarawak recorded unhealthy levels.