SHAH ALAM, AUG 30 — Hazy conditions affecting several parts of Malaysia are expected to persist over the next few days amid continued dry weather and a high number of hotspots in Indonesia.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (MetMalaysia) director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the situation could worsen if the number of hotspots in Indonesia increases and hot and dry weather continues.
"Malaysia is currently experiencing the southwest monsoon, which is expected to continue until the end of September.
“During this season, winds usually blow consistently from the southwest and south, with lower humidity and more stable atmospheric conditions.
“These conditions result in less formation of rain clouds, leading to lower rainfall distribution and drier weather during this period,” he said when contacted by Media Selangor.
Hisham added that, according to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), Kalimantan recorded 520 hotspots while Sumatra recorded 176 hotspots on Thursday (August 27).
The combination of dry weather, limited rainfall, and prevailing winds carrying smoke from areas with a high number of fires in the neighbouring country has contributed to the haze in Malaysia.
“The factors of dry weather, less rainfall, and wind direction from fire smoke sources with a high number of hotspots in the neighbouring country have caused hazy conditions in several areas, especially in western Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak,” he said.
Based on MetMalaysia’s HYSPLIT haze movement model and MyCMAQ haze concentration forecast, several areas in Malaysia are expected to continue experiencing haze over the next few days.
Hisham noted that the latest analysis also indicated that relatively dry weather with limited rainfall will continue across the country.
“Based on the ASMC, the number of hotspots also remains high in southern Sumatra and western Kalimantan, which has the potential to cause hazy weather and low visibility in Sarawak and western Peninsular Malaysia to continue for the next few days.
“The haze conditions could worsen if the number of hotspots increases and hot and dry weather conditions continue,” he said.
Hisham emphasised that MetMalaysia will continue monitoring the situation in Indonesia, particularly Air Pollution Index readings and visibility, due to their potential impact on Malaysia.
