KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Several areas in the northern Borneo state of Sarawak recorded hazardous air quality, with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings exceeding 301 on Monday.
The worst hit area is Serian, capital of Serian Division, which recorded an API of 476 while other badly affected areas are Lubok Antu (367), Lundu (349) and Sri Aman (326), according to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
According to the country's air quality rating, an API reading of zero to 50 is "good," 51 to 100 "moderate," 101 to 200 "unhealthy," 201 to 300 "very unhealthy," and 301 and above is "hazardous."
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability had previously attributed the widespread haze to prolonged hot and dry weather linked to El Nino, below-average rainfall, and extensive domestic and cross-border open burning. ■