Is the air quality good in Southeast Asia?
On August 11, 2026, air quality is poor across western Sarawak, Indonesian Borneo and parts of Sumatra, in part due to forest fire smoke and peatland burning.
Kuching, Malaysia on Borneo Island was the most polluted major city in the world at 12:00 AM (local time), with AQI of 171, which falls within the "unhealthy" range.
These conditions can affect everyone, with children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions facing greater risks.
For a more detailed look, see Kuching's air quality map.
Southeast Asia accounts for six of the 30 most polluted major cities in the world this morning, with Kuala Lumpur 3rd, Jakarta 6th, Medan 14th, Singapore 20th, and Hanoi 25th.
Major cities ranking list showing Kuching, Malaysia as the most polluted city. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Kuching?
Air quality is forecasted to improve into the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range by tomorrow.
Hourly air quality forecast for Kuching, Malaysia, on August 11, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Dry weather will continue across much of Southeast Asia over the next few days, so fires and haze may persist. Winds from the southeast or south may continue carrying smoke from West Kalimantan into western Sarawak (1).
Indonesian authorities are working to control the fires using 43 helicopters and 15 fixed-wing aircraft. They are also using cloud seeding to encourage rainfall, but a lack of suitable rain clouds is slowing these efforts (2).
Air quality map of Southeast Asia, on August 11, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Kuching?
Kuching’s poor air quality is primarily caused by transboundary smoke from forest and peatland fires in Indonesia. Prevailing southeasterly and southerly winds are carrying this smoke northward into western Sarawak (3).
These fires are burning during a longer and more severe dry season intensified by El Niño. According to Forestry Ministry data, fires affected 107,465 hectares between January and June 2026, representing a 110% increase compared with the same period in 2023 (4).
El Niño and dry weather do not directly start fires. Instead, they dry vegetation and peatlands, allowing fires to ignite more easily and spread further (5). Indonesian officials say most fires result from deliberate or accidental human activity, including peatland burning, land clearing, and campfires (6).
Limited rainfall makes the fires more difficult to control and allows fine particulate pollution to accumulate over affected communities. Peatland fires are particularly concerning because they can smolder for long periods and release persistent smoke containing PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs (7).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
