{
  "id": 622226,
  "title": "Sarawak air quality worsens as Kalimantan wildfires persist",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/sarawak-air-quality-worsens-as-kalimantan-wildfires-persist",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T01:53:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1509293/sarawak-air-quality-worsens-kalimantan-wildfires-persist"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sarawak continues to experience worsening air quality as smoke from wildfires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, drifts into the region, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). The Serian area recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 195 at 9am, while other areas including Kuching, Samarahan, Sarikei, Bintulu, Sri Aman, Samalaju, and Sibu also reported unhealthy air conditions. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) noted an increase in hotspots in West Kalimantan since August 10, with smoke plumes drifting northwards into western Sarawak. Similarly, smoke plumes were observed in southern Sumatra and eastern Java. Air quality in the Klang Valley, including Putrajaya and Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, also entered the unhealthy zone today, with API readings of 114 and 102 respectively. On August 10, Serian's API reading was 185, with other areas recording lower readings. An API reading between 101 and 200 is categorized as unhealthy.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Air quality in Sarawak continues to deteriorate as transboundary haze from wildfires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, drifts into the state.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}