Two areas in Sarawak continue to record unhealthy air pollutant index (API) levels today despite assurance that the worst of the haze is over.

According to Bernama , a check with the Department of Environment (DOE) website showed that the API readings in Sri Aman and Sarikei had reached 105 and 101 respectively at 11am.

Early this month, Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan said Sarawak had already been through the worst period as the state Meteorological Services Department anticipated favourable wind direction and rainfall from the middle of this month.

However, dry winds from Sumatra have brought back the hazy condition to the state, which has been on the receiving end of transboundary haze almost every year.

Expected to ease

The API readings in other areas also increased with Kuching recording 91, up from 88 yesterday, Miri and Limbang 73 (up from 70 and 45), Samarahan 86 (70), Kapit 82 (72) and Petra Jaya 94 (87).

But the DOE is optimistic that the haze enveloping the Sarawak skyline in the past few days will not persist and is expected to ease over the weekend due to expected wet spell.

The weather forecast predicted that a change in wind direction of the weakened south-westerly monsoon would help in cloud formation, leading to moderate rainfall in several areas over the weekend.