KUALA LUMPUR, August 22 — The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Miri skyrocketed to hazardous levels today, forcing two primary schools to be closed early.
A total of 1,970 students from SK Kuala Baram II and SJK Chung Hua Tudan were affected when API readings reached over 223 this morning.
“The school area was hit by haze as a result of forest fires near the school grounds. The API readings have been increasing, causing the schools to release their students early at around 9am.
“The worst affected school is SJK (C) Chung Hua Tudan, which is located near the Industrial Training Institute (ILP),” said a statement from the Sarawak Education Department.
As of 4pm today, the API readings has breached hazardous levels at 412 at ILP Miri station, while readings of 225 were recorded at SK Kuala Baram 2.