Thick Haze Covers Kuching
Thick haze blanketed Kuching on Saturday as Sarawak battled severe air pollution, after Malaysia declared a haze emergency in Serian Division, where pollution readings had surged past the emergency threshold of 500.
Footage shows the city shrouded in haze, with visibility severely reduced as residents went about their daily lives, many wearing masks.
“This time, as the haze occurred during the school term, my family and I have taken precautions by reducing outdoor activities and keeping all our activities indoors,” said resident Nuraziera Sharkawi.
Sharkawi said that she believed the community should take responsibility. “If possible, no open burning is carried out, no matter how small—secondly, limit outdoor activities. If you need to go outdoors, please wear a face mask to protect everyone’s health.”
Haze Emergency Remains
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim consented to the emergency declaration for Serian Division on September 4 after the government said the worsening haze had reached levels hazardous to public health and safety.
The emergency remained in force on Saturday despite improving air quality. The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee said readings would be monitored for three days before any recommendation was made on lifting or maintaining the emergency.
Officials have advised people to reduce outdoor activities and wear an N95, or at least a three-ply mask, if going outside is unavoidable.
“We hope that within the next two or three days, the haze situation will improve and become less severe,” said resident Nardu Kipli.
Smoke Drifts From Indonesia
Satellite monitoring by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre has shown widespread smoke from fire hotspots in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region, with transboundary haze drifting north from West Kalimantan towards neighbouring Sarawak.
The regional centre has warned that prolonged dry conditions and strengthening El Nino conditions could keep the risk of severe transboundary haze elevated across southern Southeast Asia.
Serian’s Air Pollutant Index fell to 184 by 08:00 local time on Sunday, down from a peak of 521 on September 4. Kuching remained in the ‘very unhealthy’ category with a reading of 235.
Article by Viory
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