KUCHING: The air quality has deteriorated again in Sri Aman and Miri, in Sarawak.
The Air Pollutants Index (API) reading for Sri Aman and Miri were both ‘very unhealthy’ at 10am today, registering 241 and 220 respectively, Bernama reported.
This contrasts with the readings at midnight, which were ‘moderate’, at 76 and 67, respectively, the Department of Environment reported.
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 is ‘moderate’, 101 to 200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201 to 300 ‘very unhealthy’, and 301 and above is ‘hazardous’.
As of 8am today, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department received 17 more reports on bush fires in the state, bringing the total to 494 cases since Aug 1.
In total, 1,391.73 acres have been burnt, including two houses – one each in Kampung Sangki, Simunjan and Kampung Sedi, Pulau Bruit.
“On average, the department responds to 30 cases of bush fires every day and for today, Kuching recorded the highest number at eight cases, followed by Miri (four) and Betong (three),” the Department added.