Goh Pei Pei New Straits Times 23 Sep 17;
KUCHING: Is the transboundary haze making a comeback in Sarawak?
This appeared to be the case when several areas in the city have been shrouded with air smeared by dust particles since Thursday.
The Department of Environment said four districts in the state recorded a moderate air pollution index (API) readings as of 2pm today.
The Mukah district recorded an API reading of 58 followed by Sri Aman, which registered an air quality reading of 54.
Both Sibu and Sarikei recorded an API readings of 52 within the same period.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohammad when contacted said there was no forest fire reported in the state thus far.
Checks with the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) showed there were 98 hotspots recorded in Kalimantan and Sarawak as of yesterday.
One of the hotspots was located in Sibu while the remaining hotspots were in Kalimantan.
“Scattered to widespread hotspots with smoke haze were observed in West Kalimantan.
“In the next few days, prevailing winds in the northern Asean region will blow from the south or southwest.
“Winds in the southern Asean region will blow from the southeast or southwest,” said the centre in a statement released at about 5pm on Friday.
