Haze Emergency

Malaysia declared an emergency in a region of its Sarawak state on Borneo island after hazardous haze from fires in neighbouring Indonesia drove air pollution to critical levels. The declaration covers the Serian division in Malaysian Borneo and will see 647 schools closed from Monday until at least the end of next week.

The Air Pollutant Index in Serian breached the critical threshold of 500, peaking at 519 earlier on Friday. Under Malaysian guidelines, API levels above 300 are classified as hazardous, while readings beyond 500 could trigger consideration of a local emergency. The emergency measures mean that government and private offices in the town of Serian will be closed, including plantations, construction sites and quarries. Only essential services will be operating.

Cloud seeding

Authorities launched a three-day cloud-seeding operation on Thursday as smoke from Indonesia's Kalimantan region blanketed the state, driving up respiratory complaints and triggering a rush for haze-rated masks. The Royal Malaysian Air Force continued cloud-seeding operations over key catchment areas to induce rain.

"Please minimise outdoor activities and avoid strenuous activities outdoors," said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee Chairman Douglas Uggah Embas. "Where outdoor exposure is unavoidable, wear an N95 mask, or at minimum a 3-ply mask, and take particular care of children, senior citizens and those who are more vulnerable to the effects of haze."