Haze worsens in Serian, schools closed

KUCHING: The air pollution index (API) in Serian worsened, exceeding the very unhealthy level this morning.

The Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System recorded an API reading of 221 in Serian as of 6am, placing it in the very unhealthy category.

As a result, all primary and secondary schools under the Serian District Education Office have been temporarily closed today.

The Sarawak Education Department said in a statement last night that the decision was made to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of students and school staff following worsening haze in the district near the Malaysia-Indonesia border.

Home-based teaching and learning will be conducted.

Other districts that recorded unhealthy API readings were Kuching (194), Samarahan (188), Bintulu (170), Sri Aman (168), Samalaju (164), Sarikei (160),

Sibu (159), Mukah (155) and Miri (148).

For schools located near districts where API readings exceed 200, headteachers have been advised to consider implementing home-based teaching and learning.

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.