{
  "id": 2374423,
  "title": "Sarawak haze fight hinges on suitable clouds, Uggah says seeding useless without them",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/sarawak-haze-fight-hinges-on-suitable-clouds-uggah-says-seeding-2374423",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T12:10:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/21/sarawak-haze-fight-hinges-on-suitable-clouds-uggah-says-seeding-useless-without-them/232247"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUCHING, Aug 21 — Cloud seeding efforts to combat the haze in Sarawak hinge on favorable weather conditions, particularly the presence of suitable clouds, according to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. During a recent meeting at the Borneo Animation and Games Festival, Uggah stated that the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has been in discussions with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) regarding the cloud seeding operation, which can only proceed when weather conditions are suitable. \"The crucial factor is the presence of suitable clouds. Without them, the salt used for seeding will simply fall harmlessly,\" he remarked to reporters. Uggah expressed optimism that weather conditions would improve soon, enabling the cloud seeding operation to aid in tackling the haze. He emphasized that preparations for the operation are being optimized in coordination with Nadma, while also noting that water levels in several Sarawakian dams and reservoirs are dangerously low due to the scorching heat. As of 2pm, Serian logged an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 227, and nine other locations within the state reported unhealthy readings.",
  "summary": "KUCHING, Aug 21 — Cloud seeding operations to tackle the haze will depend on favourable weather conditions, partic...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Haze worsens in Sarawak as unhealthy API readings rise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/haze-worsens-in-sarawak-as-unhealthy-api-readings-rise",
        "published": "2026-08-21T08:08:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Afternoon checks show nine Sarawak areas with unhealthy air quality, Serian still very unhealthy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/afternoon-checks-show-nine-sarawak-areas-with-unhealthy-air-quality",
        "published": "2026-08-21T08:56:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Malaysia’s Sarawak shuts almost 600 schools as haze hits ‘very unhealthy’ level",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/malaysias-sarawak-shuts-almost-600-schools-as-haze-hits-very",
        "published": "2026-08-21T09:26:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}