Residents of Belait District could breathe easier yesterday afternoon after a heavy downpour cleared the haze that had blanketed the district for over a week.

Out of the four districts in Brunei Darussalam, Belait was the worst hit by the haze. For several days, the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) reading for the district was at an "unhealthy level".

The haze condition worsened last week when fire ravaged over 40 hectares of forest areas in Belait.

At 6pm yesterday afternoon, the air quality in Belait and Tutong was good as PSI readings were 49 and 40 respectively. In Brunei-Muara and Temburong, the air quality was moderate with PSI readings of 53 and 59 respectively.

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

The Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation said it will continue to closely monitor the air quality and conduct ground surveillance on backyard and open burning activities.

The public can contact the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation for any complaints on open burning through hotlines 8999900 / 8837751 / 8837741 and queries on the air quality at 2383222 extension 514 during office hours.

The public can also access and obtain the PSI readings online at www.env.gov.bn.

For more information on health guidelines the public can access Internet web site www.moh.gov.bn.

By Liza Mohd