Malaysia has begun a three-day cloud-seeding operation to tackle dangerous levels of haze in Sarawak, a state on the island of Borneo. The haze, caused by smoke from forest fires in Indonesia's Kalimantan region, has worsened air quality and led to increased health concerns among residents. In addition to improving air quality, the operation aims to boost water reserves in anticipation of drier weather, focusing on three hydroelectric dams and 13 water catchment areas. The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee is overseeing the effort, which involves multiple agencies and specialized equipment. Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves introducing substances—such as salt or silver iodide—into clouds to encourage rainfall. The process works best when there are existing clouds and favorable atmospheric conditions. According to the Disaster Management Committee, the goal is to reduce the concentration of airborne pollutants, which can help improve air quality. The operation is being carried out by a C-130 aircraft, which will release a saline solution into clouds at altitudes of 5,000 to 7,000 feet over targeted areas. However, the committee emphasized that cloud seeding cannot generate rain without suitable cloud formations. Air quality in Sarawak has deteriorated significantly, with seven locations recording Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 300, which is classified as hazardous. The town of Serian, located near the capital city of Kuching, had the worst reading at 475. Under national guidelines, API levels above 500 could lead to a local emergency declaration. The prolonged dry weather has also strained water supplies, prompting authorities to distribute over 450,000 boxes of drinking water to more than 225,000 residents since January. In response to the crisis, firefighting and civil defense teams have been deployed to manage local fires, while health officials are advising people to limit outdoor activity and wear masks rated for haze protection. The Disaster Management Committee is continuously monitoring cloud development and rainfall to assess the effectiveness of the operation and the overall atmospheric conditions. As the dry season progresses, efforts to both improve air quality and secure water resources remain a top priority for authorities in Sarawak.