Environment news in Malaysia
24 stories across Malaysia, published in the last 24 hours and gathered from Malaysian news sources.
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Nepal PM urges climate action after Himalayan tragedy
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called for international attention to climate change after a catastrophic flood in the Himalayas, which he says was not a normal flood but driven by climate change. The disaster, caused by a glacial collapse, has killed at least 939 people and left thousands missing. The UN has warned of rapid glacier melting in the region, which is a vital water source for billions in Asia.
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Budget 2027: KPKM to focus on agrifood sector amid El Nino threat
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) will prioritize the agrifood sector in Budget 2027 allocations to prepare for the El Nino phenomenon. Minister Mohamad Sabu announced the need for additional funds for fertilisers, equipment, and technology to help farmers cope with drought and heatwaves. The move comes as MetMalaysia warns of a high probability of a Super El Nino by year-end.
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Nepal-China flash flood death toll exceeds 1,000, over 4,000 missing
Flash floods and landslides in the Himalayas have killed over 1,000 people along the Nepal-China border, with more than 4,000 missing. The disaster was triggered by a glacial lake outburst, devastating several districts in Nepal and the Gyirong border area in Tibet. Nepal has requested international aid, and China, South Korea, and India have sent rescue teams.
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Cloud seeding set for 13 areas in three states: Zahid
Cloud seeding operations will be carried out in 13 areas across Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis from September 3-5 to address worsening haze and critically low reservoir levels. The operations, coordinated by NADMA with MetMalaysia and the RMAF, target areas affected by haze from Kalimantan fires and hot weather. Several areas in Sarawak have recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index readings.
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API readings drop, six areas still at hazardous level
Air Pollutant Index readings in six areas in Sarawak have slightly decreased but remain at hazardous levels, with Serian recording the highest reading at 396. Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, and Sarikei are also affected, while Sibu shows an increase. Thick haze is reducing visibility in Kuching.
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Mount Sinabung erupts, ash column reaches 3.5 km into the air
Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, erupted again, sending an ash column 3.5 km high, the first major eruption in five years. Authorities raised the alert level to 'Siaga' (Level III) and restricted access to danger zones, while Kualanamu International Airport temporarily closed due to ash dispersal.
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Severe haze in Sarawak: Cloud seeding to be carried out immediately – DPM Ahmad Zahid
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid announced immediate cloud seeding operations in Sarawak to tackle worsening haze, with air pollutant index readings nearing 500 in some areas. The haze, caused by widespread fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, affects about three-quarters of Sarawak. Federal and state agencies will coordinate monitoring and response efforts.
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Cloud seeding to begin immediately as Sarawak haze worsens
Cloud seeding will be carried out in Sarawak as soon as possible after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reached hazardous levels in parts of the state. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said NADMA, MetMalaysia, and the RMAF will coordinate the operation. The haze, aggravated by fires in Kalimantan, has affected about three-quarters of Sarawak.
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Nepal floods: Death toll rises to 987 with nearly 4,500 missing
Devastating floods on the China-Nepal border have killed at least 987 people in Nepal and 16 in Tibet, with over 4,400 missing including 51 Malaysians. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the disaster has affected thousands of foreigners from multiple countries.
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Sabah sports urged to scale back outdoor activities as API worsens
Sabah's sports minister has advised sports associations and the public to reduce or adjust outdoor activities due to worsening air quality, with API readings reaching unhealthy levels in several areas including Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. The haze is partly attributed to forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, and the minister urged the public to avoid open burning and report any incidents.
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Indonesian haze now moving towards Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei
Smoke from forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan is moving towards the Strait of Malacca and Natuna Sea, raising the risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Indonesian meteorological agency forecasts PM2.5 pollutants moving northwest, with visibility in affected areas dropping to 1-1.5 km. Indonesia has temporarily closed nine national parks to focus on firefighting efforts.
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Nadma to conduct cloud seeding in Sarawak, Kedah and Perlis from Sept 3 to 5
Nadma will conduct cloud seeding operations in Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis from September 3 to 5 to mitigate worsening haze. The operations target eight dams in Sarawak and several in Kedah and Perlis, coordinated with MetMalaysia and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
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NADMA to conduct cloud seeding in three states - Ahmad Zahid
NADMA will conduct cloud seeding operations in Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis from September 3 to 5 to mitigate worsening haze. The operations, involving MetMalaysia and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, will target eight dams in Sarawak and several in Kedah and Perlis. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced this after officiating a youth convention in Shah Alam.
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Additional allocation to help paddy farmers face El Nino
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is requesting additional allocation in the 2027 Budget to help paddy farmers cope with El Nino. The funds would be used for fertilizers, equipment, and other measures to enhance crop resilience against prolonged drought and extreme heat.
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NADMA to conduct cloud seeding in Sarawak, Kedah, Perlis to tackle haze - Zahid
Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will conduct cloud seeding operations in Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis from September 3 to 5 to mitigate worsening haze. The operations, coordinated with the Meteorological Department and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, will target eight locations in Sarawak and several dams in Kedah and Perlis. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced this after officiating a youth convention in Shah Alam.
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Cloud seeding operation in 3 states
NADMA will conduct cloud seeding operations in Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis from September 3-5 to mitigate worsening haze. The operation, involving MetMalaysia and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, will target eight locations in Sarawak and several dams in Kedah and Perlis.
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Six locations in Sarawak record hazardous API readings above 300
As of 11am, six locations in Sarawak had hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 300, with Serian at 404. Other areas in Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, and Selangor also recorded unhealthy or very unhealthy readings.
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Agriculture Ministry seeks more budget funds to brace for El Nino
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is seeking additional funding under the 2027 Budget to help farmers withstand worsening weather, especially the expected impact of El Nino next year. The allocation would support crop resilience through fertilisers and equipment. The Finance Ministry has agreed in principle to increase the ministry's allocation.
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Haze worsens as six Sarawak stations record hazardous API levels
Six monitoring stations in Sarawak recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as haze worsened, with Serian recording the highest at 406. Other areas in Sarawak and parts of Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia also showed unhealthy or moderate air quality, with no stations recording good air quality.
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Thunderstorms, heavy rain in three states until noon - MetMalaysia
MetMalaysia issued a thunderstorm and heavy rain warning for several areas in Penang, Sarawak, and Sabah until noon. The affected areas include Barat Daya and Timur Laut in Penang, Subis and Miri in Sarawak, and Tawau, Semporna, Kalabakan, and Kunak in Sabah. Tropical Storm Saudel near China is not expected to affect Malaysia.
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Thunderstorms and heavy rain in three states until noon today
MetMalaysia issued a thunderstorm and heavy rain warning for several areas in Penang, Sarawak, and Sabah until noon today. The warning covers specific districts in these states. Separately, Tropical Storm Saudel is not expected to significantly affect Malaysia.
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Haze: 6 locations in Sarawak still at hazardous API level as of 10 am
As of 10 am, six locations in Sarawak recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 300, with Serian highest at 406. Several other areas in Sarawak, Labuan, Sabah, and Johan Setia in Selangor also recorded unhealthy API levels. Cloud seeding operations are ongoing in affected areas.
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Haze: 6 locations still record hazardous API levels
As of 10am, six locations in Sarawak recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 300, with Serian the highest at 406. Other areas in Sarawak, Labuan, Sabah, and Johan Setia in Selangor also recorded unhealthy levels. Cloud seeding operations are being carried out in affected areas.
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MBKS orders redesign after smart pole displays inaccurate air quality message
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has instructed its smart pole provider to redesign the dashboard after an inaccurate air quality advisory was displayed. The message, which encouraged outdoor activities, appeared when the API reading was hazardous due to a programming limitation. The redesign will follow official API classifications and include proper warnings.