The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET) deputy director-general (operations) Muhammad Helmi Abdullah recently stated that the ongoing haze in Malaysia is expected to only clear up some time in mid-September.
The MET Department’s deputy director-general told Free Malaysia Today that there would be a change in wind direction and frequent rainfall between the third week of September and October, which is why the department expects the haze to clear up during that time.
Source: NST
Muhammad Helmi Abdullah added that as long as the Southwest Monsoon winds were blowing and forest fire hotspots in Indonesia still remained, the haze would persist.
According to the Jakarta Post, at least 65 land fire hotspots were detected in Sumatra at 6am earlier on Monday (5th August), causing thick haze to envelop Kalimantan.
In late July, the MET Department previously predicted that the haze would affect Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, and Penang for 7 days due to forest fires in Riau, Sumatra. During that time, there were about 30 hotspots detected in Sumatra, but that number has since gone up as of 5th August.
Source: Rappler
In light of the prolonged haze in Malaysia, the MET Department deputy director-general advised the public to reduce outdoor activities and avoid open burning.
So, be sure to take the necessary precautions during the haze this next month!
Also read: MET Malaysia: Forest Fires in Indonesia to Cause Haze in Parts Of M’sia For The Next 7 Days
