By Churchill Edward
KUCHING (July 25): A surge in hotspots along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border is raising the risk of transboundary haze, said the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).
Citing a July 21 report from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the NREB said in a statement that the HYSPLIT model forecasts a moderate impact from haze originating in the neighbouring country, particularly over western Sarawak within the next 72 hours.
“As a proactive or preventive measure, NREB is carrying out patrolling and physical monitoring activities including using drones in agricultural areas, peatlands, bushland areas and landfills which have been identified as having a high risk of fire.
“This measure has proven effective in reducing open burning. This can be seen from the significant difference in the number of hotspots detected in Sarawak (62) and in the neighbouring country (448 hotspots) from July 18-24,” NREB said, adding that it would continue to monitor the daily development of hotspots through the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website.
Most of the foreign hotspots were located near Lundu and Tebedu.
As of 8am today, Lundu recorded an Air Pollution Index (API) of 125 (unhealthy), while Tebedu registered 69 (moderate).
They would be identified as high-risk areas if their API increases, the board added.
Should air quality worsen, NREB will update the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) with real-time data on API levels and hotspots to support decision-making, including potential school closures, depending on Education Ministry thresholds.
The board also reminded the public not to engage in open burning during the dry season and urged residents to report any such activities to the nearest NREB office or via its hotline 082-447488 or 082-319500.
Meanwhile, according to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) API management system (Apims) reading today, Kuching registered an unhealthy air quality today with API reading of 100 at 1pm, 112 at 2pm, 111 at 3pm, 114 at 4pm, 116 at 5pm and 119 at 6pm.
As for Lundu, its API reading as of 4pm was at 119 (unhealthy), while Serian as of 2pm registered an API of 119 (unhealthy).
