Malaysia starts cloud seeding to help clear toxic haze
Malaysia has initiated a three-day cloud-seeding operation to combat hazardous haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan region. The operation also aims to increase water levels in dams and catchment areas ahead of an expected dry season.
Why it matters
Transboundary haze is a recurring environmental and public health crisis in Southeast Asia, necessitating regional cooperation and emergency mitigation strategies.
Sarawak residents have endured heavy haze for days as smoke from Indonesia's Kalimantan blankets the area.
Haze shrouds the Kuala Lumpur skyline as seen from Ampang, in Malaysia’s Selangor state, on Sep 3, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)
KUCHING: Malaysia launched a three-day cloud-seeding operation on Thursday (Sep 3) in a bid to ease hazardous haze choking Sarawak state, as smoke from Indonesian forest fires pushed air quality to dangerous levels.
The operation, which also aims to bolster water reserves in anticipation of dry weather, targets three hydroelectric dams and 13 water catchment areas, Sarawak's Disaster Management Committee said.
Residents of the state on Borneo island have endured heavy haze for days as smoke from Indonesia's Kalimantan blankets the area, driving up respiratory complaints.
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