Cross-border haze pushed air quality to unhealthy levels in six areas of Sarawak as of 4 pm today, up from five areas earlier in the day.
Data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Serian at 171, Samarahan at 155, Kuching and Bintulu at 153, Sri Aman at 124 and Mukah at 115.
The deterioration comes as Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas warned that cross-border haze could affect 19 areas across the state over the next few days.
Uggah, who chairs the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee, said prevailing winds were carrying smoke from hotspots in neighbouring regions into Sarawak.
The areas identified are Betong, Bintulu, Daro, Julau, Kanowit, Kuching, Lundu, Marudi, Miri, Mukah, Pakan, Samarahan, Saratok, Serian, Sibu, Simunjan, Song, Sri Aman and Tatau.
