The air quality index has been fluctuating."Dumai (ANTARA News) - The Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) over Dumai city, Riau province, reached 410, on Wednesday at around 8 a.m. local time, indicating that the citys air quality is hazardous to health.
Dumais air quality has worsened as the city has been blanketed by haze coming from the forest, plantation and peat land fires over the past few weeks, Marjoko Santoso, the Dumai health offices head, stated here, on Wednesday.
However, at about 9 a.m., on the same day, the air quality improved significantly to 46 PSI, which is categorized as "good".
"The air quality index has been fluctuating. In the evening, until early morning, the smog haze is quite thick, and at noon, it gradually comes back to normal again," he explained.
The authorities have urged Dumai residents to stay indoors and drink water as much as possible, and if they have to outside, then they are advised to wear facemasks.
They have been asked to go to nearby hospitals or community health posts in case they face breathing or respiratory problems.
A local inhabitant, identified as Tia, stated that she stayed at home on Tuesday evening, but the haze entered her house through the ventilation and caused eye irritation and respiratory problems.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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