Environment news in Hotel 56 Kuching Sarawak
-
Dead fish wash up along Sarawak River near Kuching Waterfront
Large numbers of dead fish were found along the Sarawak River near the Kuching Waterfront and Kampung Gersik-Boyan on Saturday morning. The Sarawak Agriculture Department collected water and fish samples for laboratory analysis, with low oxygen levels among the possible causes being examined.
-
Haze forces Kuching tourists to cut back outdoor plans
Haze over Kuching is disrupting tourists' itineraries, with poor visibility forcing visitors to drop outdoor activities such as jogging and sunset-watching at Santubong Beach. Visitors from Johor Bahru, Pahang and Italy described mixed experiences, with one reporting a sore throat. Most said they would still return to Kuching once the haze clears.
-
Sarawak youths hand haze memo to Indonesian consulate in Kuching
Two Sarawakian youths submitted a memorandum to the Indonesian Consulate-General in Kuching on Friday, seeking information on transboundary haze from Kalimantan fires. The consulate said Indonesia has deployed 43,951 personnel and 55 aircraft to fight fires in six priority provinces, with 77,080 hectares extinguished as of Sept 10.
-
Abang Johari: Haze cooperation with neighbours handled via Asean, diplomacy
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said cooperation with neighbouring countries on transboundary haze is being handled through Asean mechanisms and diplomatic channels. He spoke in Kuching after launching the Sarawak SHInE International Conference, as Sarawak continues to experience haze linked to fires in Indonesia. Serian, Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman have been worst hit, with schools closed and a brief state of emergency declared in Serian from Sept 4-7.
- You saw it first Something happening near you? Post it. Road closed, night market moved, burst pipe, lost pet — share it nearby. Post something nearby →
-
Sarawak declares emergency as haze from Kalimantan fires worsens
Sarawak has declared a state of emergency as the Air Pollutant Index in Kuching reached hazardous levels, caused by forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The haze has spread across the region, affecting other Asean countries, and leaders are calling for stronger regional cooperation to combat the annual crisis.
-
MBKS plans new drains to curb flash floods in Kuching city centre
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is stepping up efforts to address recurring flash floods in Kuching city centre, particularly along Jalan Padungan, Jalan Chan Chin Ann and Jalan Abell. Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the proposed mitigation works include building about 200 metres of additional reinforced concrete box drain to improve drainage capacity. The project will proceed to tender once plans are finalised.
-
Kuching air quality hits hazardous 306, Serian and Sri Aman very unhealthy
Kuching in Sarawak recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 306, classified as hazardous, as of 9am. Serian (279) and Sri Aman (248) were at very unhealthy levels, while 10 other areas nationwide were unhealthy.
-
Dogs stay indoors as hazardous haze puts walks on hold
Hazardous haze in Kuching, Sarawak, has forced pet owners to keep their dogs indoors, replacing daily walks with indoor games and short bathroom breaks. The Air Pollutant Index reached 311, a hazardous level, prompting owners to monitor air quality and limit outdoor activities to protect their pets' health.
-
Hazardous air quality stations in Sarawak down to three at 4pm after Kanowit exits category
As of 4pm on Sept 3, three air quality monitoring stations in Sarawak—Kuching, IPD Serian, and Lubok Antu—recorded hazardous API readings, down from four after Kanowit improved. Lubok Antu had the highest API at 358, while many other stations across the state remained in the very unhealthy or unhealthy categories.
-
Malaysia Day celebrations to be held indoors in Kuching amid haze
Malaysia Day celebrations on Sept 16 will be held indoors at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) due to worsening haze conditions in Sarawak. Three areas in Sarawak, including Kuching, recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, and cloud seeding operations are subject to MetMalaysia's recommendations.
-
Sarawak haze eases as hazardous API readings drop to two stations
Haze conditions in Sarawak are improving, with the number of monitoring stations recording hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings falling to two as of 9am. Kuching and Serian remain hazardous, while several other areas in the state have moved into the 'very unhealthy' category. Air quality in some areas outside Sarawak, including Selangor and Sabah, has deteriorated.
-
Malaysia Day celebration remains at BCCK, outdoor events cancelled due to haze - Fahmi
The Malaysia Day 2026 celebration on 16 September will proceed at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak, but outdoor events have been cancelled due to worrying haze conditions in Kuching and Serian. The decision was announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil after a Cabinet meeting.
-
Indonesian fires prompt haze alerts, disrupt palm harvests
Acrid haze from Indonesian forest fires is blanketing parts of Southeast Asia, including Malaysian Borneo, disrupting palm harvests and prompting health warnings. Sarawak state is preparing to close offices and conduct cloud seeding, while Kuching has recorded the world's worst air quality for several days.
-
Agricultural activity believed to be cause of forest fire on Pulau Bruit
A forest fire believed to be caused by agricultural activities has destroyed about 7.5 hectares near Kampung Kut, Pulau Bruit, Daro. Firefighters have extinguished about three hectares and are working to control the remaining 4.5 hectares, facing challenges from hot weather and limited water supply.
-
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 a viral photo showed an inaccurate advisory message encouraging outdoor activities during hazardous air quality. Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng explained the message was due to a programming limitation for API readings above 450 and confirmed corrective action is being taken.
-
Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires chokes Malaysian Borneo
Smoke from fires in Kalimantan has pushed air quality in Sarawak to hazardous levels, causing a surge in respiratory illness and forcing the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations.