{
  "id": 824889,
  "title": "Haze in Sarawak intensifies as eight areas hit unhealthy levels",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/haze-in-sarawak-intensifies-as-eight-areas-hit-unhealthy-levels",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T01:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/126157/haze-in-sarawak-intensifies-as-eight-areas-hit-unhealthy-levels"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sarawak's air quality deteriorated sharply on Friday, with eight regions registering unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, according to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS). Serian experienced the worst conditions, with a reading of 183 at 7am, marking the highest level in the state. Samarahan and Kuching followed closely with API readings of 172 each. Other areas, including Sri Aman, Sarikei, Mukah, Bintulu, and Sibu, also reached unhealthy levels, with readings of 164, 158, 152, 137, and 109 respectively. Four other locations - Samalaju, Miri, Kapit, and Limbang - recorded moderate air quality, with API readings of 97, 85, 66, and 55 respectively.\n\nIn response to the worsening conditions, schools in certain parts of Penang remained on alert. The Penang Education Department, led by director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad, was closely monitoring the situation after the Minden station in George Town recorded an unhealthy API reading of 107. Despite the reading dropping to 96 by 8pm, the department advised schools to suspend all outdoor activities as a precautionary measure. Schools located around Minden, seven in total, would suspend outdoor activities if the API reading remained unhealthy the following morning.\n\nMohamad Dziauddin urged pupils to wear face masks, hydrate frequently, and report any symptoms of illness to parents or guardians. Schools were instructed to close immediately if API readings surpassed 200, and reopen only if readings fell below 200 and displayed a downward trend.",
  "summary": "HAZE conditions intensified across Sarawak on Friday, with eight areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings and Serian registering the highest at 183, as authorities stepped up monitoring of deteriorating air quality. Data from the ...",
  "key_points": [
    "Eight Sarawak regions hit unhealthy Air Pollutant Index levels",
    "Serian recorded highest API reading of 183 on Friday morning",
    "Schools advised to suspend outdoor activities due to poor air quality"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The deterioration of air quality in Sarawak and parts of Penang prompts health precautions and school activity cancellations, affecting thousands of students and residents in the impacted areas.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/824889.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "MetMalaysia: Sarawak’s hot, dry spell could keep haze hanging around till Aug 20 while thunderstorms lash peninsula",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/metmalaysia-sarawaks-hot-dry-spell-could-keep-haze-hanging-around",
        "published": "2026-08-14T06:14:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}