Screengrab from the ASMC website shows the haze and hotspots in the region on Friday.
KUCHING (Aug 23) Seven of the 15 hotspots detected in the country were in Sarawak, said the Department of Environment (DoE), citing the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore on Friday.
DoE deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon said Johor, Pahang and Terengganu recorded two hotspots each, while Kelantan and Melaka had one each.
“Meanwhile, 425 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and 187 in Sumatra. The Regional Haze Map issued by the ASMC on Saturday showed dry weather conditions occurring in the southern Asean region,” she said in a statement.
Azuri said scattered clusters of hotspots were detected in several areas in Kalimantan, while isolated hotspots were observed in central and southern Sumatra.
Several hotspots were also detected in Peninsular Malaysia, Sulawesi and Java Island.
Moderate smoke plumes were observed in central and southern Sumatra, while moderate haze was also observed in western Borneo.
Based on the DoE’s API readings, she said 10 of the 11 locations across Malaysia that recorded unhealthy air quality as at 6pm on Saturday were in Sarawak.
Serian topped the list with an API reading of 197, followed by Kuching (191), Samarahan (178), Sarikei (171), Sri Aman (177), Sibu (160), Bintulu (157), Samalaju (153), Mukah (158), Miri (136) and Bukit Rambai, Melaka (152).
“Air quality in the country has deteriorated with increases in API readings, mostly involving areas in Sarawak, which is caused by the movement of haze smoke from various directions,” she said.
As of this month, Azuri said 838 hotspots had been monitored nationwide, with 4,147 ground patrols and 640 drone flights carried out to enhance field monitoring capabilities.
She said the DoE had investigated 6,603 open burning cases from Jan 1 to Aug 18 this year. Of these, 5,190 cases were monitored, including repeated visits to fire-prone areas, particularly in peatlands.
In terms of enforcement, she said the department had issued 569 field instructions, 85 notices of instructions and 85 compounds, in addition to 23 investigation papers prepared for court action.
Additionally, 1,862 cases were referred to the agencies involved for further action, especially small burning incidents that occurred in neighbourhoods, roadsides and government land, she added.