Natural Disasters news in Voco Kuching By Ihg Kuching Sarawak
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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.
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El Nino, dry conditions, haze expected to persist in stages until May next year - Expert
Experts warn that El Nino will prolong dry conditions and haze in stages until May next year, with fires expected to shift from Indonesia to northern Sarawak and Sabah. Current air quality readings show hazardous levels in Serian, Sarawak, and very unhealthy levels in Kuching, Sri Aman, and Samarahan.
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Indonesia's cloud-seeding efforts to fight fires hit by lack of clouds; haze reaches hazardous levels in Sarawak
Indonesia's weather modification operations to combat forest fires are constrained by a lack of suitable clouds in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The resulting haze has severely impacted Sarawak, with Serian recording a hazardous API reading of 345, prompting the state to launch its own cloud-seeding operations.
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Simunjan peatland fire: Two hectares extinguished, 1.5 ha still burning
Firefighters in Simunjan, Sarawak, have extinguished two hectares of a peatland fire at Kampung Lubok Punggor, with 1.5 hectares still burning on the third day. The fire, which started on August 31, has affected 3.5 hectares and is being fought with limited water sources.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Critically low water reserves in haze-hit Sarawak due to prolonged dry spell
A prolonged dry spell has caused critically low water reserves at the Simunjan water treatment plant in Sarawak, with reservoir levels dropping to less than a metre. The state is implementing water rationing and tanker deliveries to affected areas, and cloud seeding is planned to replenish reserves.
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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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.