AIR pollution in Serian, Sarawak surged to a hazardous level this morning, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) hitting 495 as haze worsened across the state.
Checks on the Department of Environment's (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Serian was the only area in Malaysia to record a hazardous reading above 300 as of 7am today.
Three areas in Sarawak recorded very unhealthy API readings, with Kuching at 289, Samarahan at 265 and Sri Aman at 250.
Six other areas recorded unhealthy readings: Sarikei at 181, Sibu at 174, Mukah at 169, Bintulu at 159, Samalaju at 153 and ILP Miri at 149.
The worsening haze comes as cloud-seeding operations are being carried out in areas affected by poor air quality, particularly those recording API readings above 150, as well as areas around dams experiencing falling water levels.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was previously reported as saying the cloud-seeding operations were being conducted through cooperation between the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). - September 4, 2026
