{
  "id": 4358933,
  "title": "Zahid: Cloud seeding targets areas with API readings above 150",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/zahid-cloud-seeding-targets-areas-with-api-readings-above-150",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T06:11:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1522020/zahid-cloud-seeding-targets-areas-api-readings-above-150"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that cloud seeding operations would be conducted in areas with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 150, particularly those with readings of 200 or more. These operations were being carried out by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department and Royal Malaysian Air Force, in haze-affected areas. Zahid highlighted the necessity of these measures due to declining water levels in dams and reservoirs. He also emphasized that cloud seeding was carried out based on necessity and suitability, as the presence of clouds alone did not ensure they would move towards the targeted areas. Despite this, he advised considering the direction of clouds and whether they would move towards the targeted areas. The air quality across the country significantly deteriorated overnight due to intensified transboundary haze from Indonesia, with 20 monitoring stations recording unhealthy or worse readings. Sarawak recorded the country's worst readings, with the Serian police headquarters station recording an API of 364, placing it in the hazardous category. Three other stations in Sarawak were in the very unhealthy category, with readings of 300, 291, and 214, respectively.",
  "summary": "SERDANG: Cloud seeding operations will be conducted in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API) has exceeded 150, particularly those recording readings of 200 and above.",
  "key_points": [
    "Cloud seeding operations in API readings >150, especially >200",
    "Conducted by Nadma, Meteorological Department, Royal Malaysian Air Force",
    "Declining water levels in dams and reservoirs prompted measures"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Cloud seeding operations will now focus on areas with the most severe air pollution, targeting regions with API readings of 150 or higher, particularly the worst-affected areas in Sarawak.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Haze: Cloud Seeding Targets Areas With API Above 150, Falling Dam Levels",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/general-haze-cloud-seeding-targets-areas-with-api-above-150-falling",
        "published": "2026-08-30T04:34:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Zahid: Cloud seeding targets haze‑hit areas and dams with falling water levels",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/zahid-cloud-seeding-targets-haze-hit-areas-and-dams-with-falling",
        "published": "2026-08-30T07:08:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}