{
  "id": 9456933,
  "title": "Haze worsens in Serian, schools closed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/haze-worsens-in-serian-schools-closed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T01:12:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1539826/haze-worsens-serian-schools-closed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Serian, air pollution has reached hazardous levels, prompting the closure of all primary and secondary schools. The Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System recorded a reading of 221 at 6am, classifying the air quality as very unhealthy. This prompted the Serawak Education Department to announce temporary school closures, prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff. Schools are now operating under home-based teaching and learning arrangements. Other districts with unhealthy readings include Kuching, Samarahan, Bintulu, Sri Aman, Samalaju, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, and Miri. Headteachers in areas where the API exceeds 200 have been advised to consider home-based learning for their schools.",
  "summary": "KUCHING: The air pollution index (API) in Serian worsened, exceeding the very unhealthy level this morning.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Haze: All Serian Schools To Close Temporarily TomorrowÂ",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/general-haze-all-serian-schools-to-close-temporarily-tomorrowa",
        "published": "2026-09-23T13:07:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Borneo Post Online",
        "title": "Serian’s 108 schools to close from tomorrow as API hits 214",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/serians-108-schools-to-close-from-tomorrow-as-api-hits-214",
        "published": "2026-09-23T14:19:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}