Zahid: Cloud seeding extended to improve deteriorating air quality in Sarawak
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The cloud seeding operation was extended across Sarawak to help improve air quality following the haze enveloping several parts of the state.
A state of emergency was declared in the Serian division of Sarawak due to hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of over 500. Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) chairman, announced that two divisions, Kuching and Sri Aman, had reported very unhealthy API readings.
He expressed hope that cloud seeding operations would help lower air pollution, especially in Sarawak, during the Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching. Nadma director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim confirmed that cloud seeding was being conducted across Sarawak until the following day to combat the haze affecting the state.
Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, approved the state of emergency declaration in Serian after the area recorded API readings more than 500. However, the API reading in Serian decreased to 183 as of 3:15 PM on the same day. APIMS data showed that 35 other air quality monitoring stations recorded API readings in the same category, with Kuching being the only one reporting a very unhealthy reading of 218.
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