Haze: Localised smoke plumes detected in Sarawak, west Kalimantan, says ASMC
KUCHING (July 26): Localised smoke plumes have been detected over Sarawak and western Kalimantan today, according to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC).
Satellite imagery from ASMC also showed hotspots in Mukah, with isolated hotspots identified in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
'The hotspots and haze situation over the northern Asean region was observed to remain subdued.
'Dry weather is expected to continue over parts of the southern Asean region with the exception of showers forecast over parts of Sumatra, Java, as well as the southern and eastern parts of Kalimantan in the coming days,' said ASMC in its website https://asmc.asean.org/home/.
ASMC noted that while the showers may ease hotspot and haze activity, localised smoke plumes and isolated hotspots could still emerge in areas experiencing prolonged dry spells. There also remains a chance of transboundary haze.
'The prevailing winds in the southern Asean region are forecast to blow mainly from the southeast to south,' it added.
As at 8am today, Lundu recorded an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 113, while the rest of Sarawak reported moderate air quality, with Kuching at 98, Samarahan at 90, and Bintulu at 80.
API readings between 51 and 100 are considered moderate, while readings from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy. Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre ASMC haze hotspots lead
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