Graph shows the increase in the number of hotspots in Kalimantan.
KUCHING: The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee is expected to meet soon to discuss action to manage the haze as forest fires increase in the neighbouring Indonesian province of West Kalimantan.
Ismail Mahedin
Its secretariat chief Ismail Mahedin said the number of hotspots in West Kalimantan had increased from six on Tuesday to 12 yesterday contributing to higher Air Pollution Index (API) readings in the southern region of the state.
“The API reading could deteriorate in Sarawak if the wind blows more smoke from West Kalimantan,” he told the Borneo Post.
As of 2pm today, the Department of Environment’s website showed that the API reading for Kuching was the highest in the state at 84, which is still moderate. Readings of 50 and below is good, moderate is 51 to 100, unhealthy is 101 to 200, and very unhealthy at 201 to 300.
Earlier, Ismail said he was uncertain when exactly the committee’s chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will call the meeting, except that it will be held soon.
“The secretariat’s role is to be ever ready to face any disaster like flood, haze and drought in the state,” Ismail told reporters when met at Politeknik Kuching’s graduation ceremony here.
He also said due to the haze, the visibility as at 9am this morning was 7km for Limbang, and 8km for Sibu, Bintulu and Kuching. Normal visibility is over 10km.
Touching on the forest fire in Miri, Ismail said there was an increase in the number of fires due to strong winds yesterday but the rain this morning had improved the air condition somewhat.
Over 600 hectares forest and peat soil areas in Kuala Baram, Miri, are currently in flames.
Firefighters and volunteers have been battling the blaze for about five days but have found little success.