Temperatures in most divisions in the state are expected to soar in the coming days.
With the mercury hitting 35°C in Kuching and Sibu yesterday and no sign of rain, the heatwave is expected to continue.
A Meteorological Services Department spokesman here said that 35°C was the highest recorded in the state yesterday but this could soar.
“For Bintulu and Miri, the temperature was 34°C. We’re experiencing high temperatures here because of a typhoon in the Philippines. The south-west monsoon winds in the state are being pulled towards the Philippines,” she told The Star yesterday.
As such, she said the wind speed here was only 20kmh to 30kmh and the sea was calm compared to Sabah. It is learnt, however, that despite the hazy conditions, visibility was 4km, which is still fine.
When contacted, Natural Resources and Environment Board controller Peter Sawal said the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading throughout the state was at 70, which is moderate. However, he feared the reading could increase in the days to come if there is no rainfall.
“Wind is not there, so the heat is being trapped with the haze. We do have hot spots, but they are distributed evenly thro-ughout the state and originate from small-scale farms and not plantations,” he said.
Nevertheless, Sawal said the board was constantly monitoring the situation, and if it worsened, it would review permits given to plantations to do open burning.
He did not discount the possibility of the heatwave and haze originating from burning at plantations in neighbouring Kaliman-tan. Malaysian Medical Association Sarawak branch chairman Dr John Chew said that outdoor activities had to be curtailed since there was a predilection to seasonal flu at this time.
He advised: “Maintain a healthy lifestyle, consume more fresh fruits and vegetables. Watch your weight and stop smoking.” By Vanes Devindran, The Star
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