Severe haze episode unlikely to occur in near future, says MetMalaysia

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) stated that there is no expectation of a severe haze episode in the country in the near future, despite the presence of hotspots in Indonesia and Malaysia. According to MetMalaysia director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre shows a decline in the number of hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia compared to last Monday (Sept 11). The number of hotspots in Kalimantan has decreased from 67 to 2, while in Sumatra it has decreased from 50 to 15.

In Malaysia, only one hotspot was recorded on Monday, but the situation changed yesterday when Sabah and Sarawak reported a total of four hotspots. Despite this, Muhammad Helmi stated that with the conclusion of the Southwest Monsoon season and the reduction in hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra, a severe haze episode is not expected in the near future. The Southwest Monsoon season is ending today and will be replaced by the monsoon transition phase, expected to last until early November. During this period, the country is expected to receive more rainfall, especially in the late afternoon and early evening in states along the west coast of the peninsula, western Sarawak, and Sabah.

Moreover, more rainfall is expected during the Northeast Monsoon season, which is forecasted to occur from November until March next year. However, transboundary haze can still occur if there are extensive and widespread forest fires and winds blowing from the affected areas. Additionally, El Nino conditions have been detected in the central Pacific Ocean, with a high likelihood of persisting until early 2024.

International agencies monitoring this forecast that the strength of El Nino is expected to peak at the end of this year and the beginning of next year, potentially resulting in prolonged dry weather, reduced rainfall, and forest fires if open burning activities are not controlled. The Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), managed by the Department of Environment, recorded moderate Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at 46 monitoring stations. The highest readings were in Kuching, Sarawak at 92, followed by Shah Alam, Selangor at 76, and Seremban, Negeri Sembilan at 75.

The API readings categorize 0-50 as good, 51-100 as moderate, 101-200 as unhealthy, 201-300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.

– Bernama