Malaysian Borneo town declares emergency as haze hits hazardous levels

Malaysia declared a state of emergency in Sarawak's Serian district on Borneo after air pollution readings exceeded 500, driven by transboundary haze from Indonesian fires. Residents face hazardous air quality, with schools closed and daily life disrupted. The haze, originating from fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan province, has blanketed parts of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei for weeks. Serian, located near the border, recorded API levels peaking at 512, prompting the emergency declaration on Friday. Local residents report health issues like shortness of breath, while businesses such as durian sellers see reduced income. Rain from cloud seeding operations lowered readings to 219, but the emergency remains in effect.