KUCHING: The haze in Sarawak has improved significantly and more rains are expected in the coming week.
Sarawak Malaysian Meteorological Department director Wong Teck Kiong said with the change in wind directions and more downpours, it is unlikely that the haze will worsen.
"We expect more rain in the coming week, especially in the late afternoons and evenings as we are entering the Inter-monsoon Period (Transitional Monsoon).
The haze and air quality will improve further over the days to come," he told New Straits Times when contacted today.
As of noon, the Air Pollutant Index readings in major towns registered moderate levels, including Kuching (73), Sibu (67) Bintulu (60) and Miri (77).
Meanwhile, Sri Aman which breached the hazardous level with an API of 420 last week dropped to 115 today.
Over 1,000 schools that were forced to close last week, also reopened today.
Sarawak has been experiencing poor air quality due to the transboundary haze and local forests and peatland fires for nearly two weeks.
Residents finally woke up to clearer skies after rain in several locations over the weekend.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Fire and Rescue Department continue to conduct water bombing operations to extinguish the fire at Kampung STC in Sri Aman.