KUCHING: Cloud seeding is not being considered for the time being as the authorities continue to monitor Sarawak’s haze situation and await possible rainfall over the next few days.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, said air quality readings were being monitored hourly to determine whether conditions were worsening.
He said current weather forecasts indicated a possibility of rain by Friday or Saturday, which could help ease the haze.
“At this point, cloud seeding has not been planned. We will observe how the situation develops throughout this week.
“There is at least a 30 per cent chance of rain by Friday or Saturday. We hope there will be some rain to improve the situation,” he told reporters when met at Sarawak Integrity Day 2026 at BCCK today.
Len Talif said the haze affecting Sarawak was believed to have originated from West Kalimantan, with easterly and southeasterly winds carrying smoke towards the state, including Kuching.
He said the Air Pollutant Index (API) had reached unhealthy levels in several areas, with Kuching recording readings of between 150 and 175, Kota Samarahan at 174, Sibu at 151 and Sri Aman at 161.
He also said Tebedu, located near the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, had recorded a reading exceeding 200, placing it in the very unhealthy category.
“Most areas have recorded readings above 100, except in northern Sarawak,” he added.
In view of the deteriorating air quality, he advised members of the public to reduce outdoor activities and take the necessary precautions.
He said schools should also avoid organising outdoor activities, particularly those involving children, while the unhealthy conditions persist.
Pressed whether cloud seeding could be conducted next week if there was no rainfall by Sunday, he said no decision had been made.
“We will first look at the readings. Even if there is no rain here, there may be rain in Kalimantan, which would also help because the source of the haze is from there,” he added.
He said preparations were being made to respond if the situation worsened, although he hoped the API would not reach extreme levels.
He pointed out that Pontianak had recorded an API reading of about 300 but expressed confidence that Sarawak was unlikely to experience a similar level based on the current weather forecast.
“I personally do not think we will reach that level for now because the forecast indicates some rain within the next two or three days,” he said.
He assured that the authorities would continue monitoring the haze closely while keeping the public informed of any significant changes.
