Malaysia starts cloud seeding to help clear toxic haze

KUCHING: Malaysia launched a three-day cloud-seeding operation on Thursday (Sep 3) in a bid to ease hazardous haze choking Sarawak state, as smoke from Indonesian forest fires pushed air quality to dangerous levels.The operation, which also aims to bolster water reserves in anticipation of dry weather, targets three hydroelectric dams and 13 water catchment areas, Sarawak's Disaster Management Committee said.Residents of the state on Borneo island have endured heavy haze for days as smoke from Indonesia's Kalimantan blankets the area, driving up respiratory complaints.Rainfall resulting from cloud seeding "has the potential to reduce the concentration of airborne pollutants, thereby supporting efforts to address air quality deterioration and the impact of haze", the Disaster Management Com