With the lack of rain and continuing forest fires across the Indonesian border, skies over most parts of Sarawak remain hazy, and officials acknowledge it may get worse before it gets any better in the days ahead.

But Sarawakians have learnt to take the phenomenon in their stride having experienced it on almost a yearly basis since a decade ago.

"We are used to the haze now," said travel agency manager Jimmy Nais.

"You only see a few motorcyclists wearing masks," he added, indicating locals consider the haze occurrence this year as not yet bad enough to warrant the use of masks.

Authorities have said the situation is not going to improve in the immediate future with satellite pictures showing numerous hot spots in Kalimantan and some forest burning activities in Sarawak's Sri Aman Division.

There has been no rain in the past one week and reports say efforts maybe taken to try and induce rains through cloud seeding operations if the situation does not improve in the days ahead.

Advisory worry

The continuing hot and dry conditions are also worrying water authorities concerned with the water level of Sungai Sarawak where the raw water is drawn to feed the treatment plant at Batu Kitang which supplies much of Kuching city's treated water.

Meanwhile, the local tourism trade hopes that rain will come pouring down soon and provide some let-up.

The local print and electronic media have been requested not to 'unnecessarily highlight' the haze, as the local authorities fear that 'negative publicity' could keep tourists away during the current peak season.

"But we have not received any advisory from the Malaysian Association Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) or the Sarawak Tourism Federation on the haze situation," Nais told malaysiakini.

"We are, of course, hoping it will not be necessary to issue any advisory. Foreign tourists are particularly sensitive to a haze as it is also tied closely to the issues of environmental conservation and protection," he revealed.