BELAIT experienced an unhealthy air quality yesterday between 6am and 11am where the recorded Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) exceeded 100. However over the rest of the day, the air quality was moderate as the PSI receded to below 100.

The Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (Jastre) said in a statement yesterday that the satellite imagery information received from Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has detected 625 hotspots in Sarawak and West Kalimantan. The prevailing south westerly wind transported smoke plumes from these hotspots to Brunei Darussalam, it said.

Jastre also reported that the overall air quality for Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Temburong districts yesterday (until late in the afternoon) was generally moderate. The highest recorded PSI for Brunei- Muara, Tutong and Temburong were 54, 64 and 58 respectively.

PSI reading below 50 is regarded good; PSI between 50 and 100 is moderate; and PSI reading above 100 is unhealthy.

The press statement added that the country continued to experience hazy condition. Jastre will continue to closely monitor the air quality and from time to time, provide updated information and advice on the air quality through the local radio stations and television.

Despite reminders issued by the department, open burning activities were still carried out in many locations in the country, especially in the evening.

The public is therefore urged to refrain from conducting any open burning activities that will worsen the hazy condition.

Jastre will also conduct ground surveillance on backyard and open burning activities.

The statement added that children, elderly and those with respiratory-related illnesses, such as lung and
heart diseases, and those suffering from asthma, are advised to stay indoors and refrained from outdoor physical activities during the unhealthy air condition. (RSH1)

The Brunei Times