A thick blanket of haze has enveloped Malaysia’s Sarawak state, triggering a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses as smoke from regional fires worsens the worst air pollution crisis in the area in over a decade. Hospitals are reporting increased cases of breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and other health complications among residents, with authorities urging vulnerable groups to take precautions. The haze, caused by persistent fires likely linked to land clearing, has grounded flights, disrupted daily life, and prompted schools to close temporarily. Experts warn the situation could deteriorate further without immediate intervention to control the blazes.
Respiratory illnesses surge as smoke settles over Malaysia's Sarawak in the region's worst haze crisis in a decade.
