{
  "id": 9339983,
  "title": "Serian air quality hits ‘Very Unhealthy’ level as haze worsens across parts of Sarawak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/serian-air-quality-hits-very-unhealthy-level-as-haze-worsens-across",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T12:41:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Borneo Post Online",
    "slug": "borneo-post-online",
    "url": "https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/09/23/serian-air-quality-hits-very-unhealthy-level-as-haze-worsens-across-parts-of-sarawak/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Serian's air quality plummeted into the 'Very Unhealthy' category on September 23, 2026, due to worsening haze conditions in Sarawak, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB). The Air Pollutant Index (API) at Serian reached 201 by 6 pm, up from 186 at noon and 179 at 8 am. In contrast, Kanowit remained in the 'Very Unhealthy' category, recording API values of 244 at 8 am, 208 at noon, and 211 at 6 pm. Lubok Antu showed improvement in air quality, falling from an API of 205 at 8 am to 195 at noon and 191 at 6 pm, thus escaping the 'Very Unhealthy' category. Most monitoring stations continued to record 'Unhealthy' air quality at 6 pm, with Kuching's API at 185, Samarahan at 182, Sri Aman at 176, Sarikei at 164, and Sibu at 166. Other locations included Mukah at 160, Kapit at 121, Bintulu at 174, Samalaju at 164, Miri at 161, ILP Miri at 154, Limbang at 153, Lundu at 163, Tebedu at 176, Belaga at 177, Lawas at 138, and Betong at 176. Bario remained the only station below the 'Unhealthy' category, with its API increasing from 33 (Good) at 8 am to 74 (Moderate) at noon and 76 (Moderate) at 6 pm. The API classification categorizes readings as Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy (101-200), and Very Unhealthy (201-300).",
  "summary": "KUCHING (Sept 23): Air quality in Serian deteriorated into the ‘Very Unhealthy’ category this evening as haze conditions worsened in parts of Sarawak, while Kanowit remained above the 200 mark throughout the day. According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded at Serian rose to 201 at 6pm, [...] The post Serian air quality hits ‘Very…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "All 108 schools in Serian to close tomorrow over haze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/all-108-schools-in-serian-to-close-tomorrow-over-haze",
        "published": "2026-09-23T14:41:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}