THE people of Sarawak were today warned to be prepared for the return of smoke pollution.

Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah said the air pollution, an annual occurrence in the state, could hit the state in the next few days with Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong divisions in the southern end of the state the first to feel it

Uggah said weather satellite images from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) taken on Saturday showed an increase in the number of hotspots in the southern and western parts of the Indonesian province of Kalimantan.

He did not state how many in his Covid-19 briefing today.

The same day, the ASMC satellite detected 37 hot spots in Sarawak, and more on Sunday and yesterday.

Uggah said with prevailing monsoon winds in the state having shifted to the southwest, the prospect of  transboundary pollution was high.

“The quality of air in Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong divisions could deteriorate in the next few days.

“The air pollution index (API) in some areas of the state has increased.”

Uggah warned the bad air quality in the state could be aggravated by open burning. – August 11, 2020.