KUCHING: The haze in Sarawak worsened today, with visibility in the state capital here reduced to 1.2km.
Five other areas are also shrouded in smoke and recorded Air Pollution Index (API) readings of “unhealthy” as of 9am.
Sri Aman registered the highest API of 166, followed by Miri at 133, Kuching at 125, Sibu at 123 and Sarikei at 109.
Stations in Kuala Baram, Bintulu, Samalaju, Mukah, Kapit, Limbang and Miri recorded moderate API readings of between 62 and 99, said Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee secretariat, Major Ismail Mahedin.
Meanwhile, motorists in Kuching have been advised to exercise extra caution amidst reduced visibility.
The haze is believed to be caused by 455 hotpots which have been detected in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Four hotspots have also been detected in Betong, Serian, Bintulu and Miri.
An API reading of 0 to 50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and over 301 (hazardous).