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Malaysia braces for haze until September as Indonesian fires persist
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Environment & Climate

Malaysia braces for haze until September as Indonesian fires persist

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Malaysia is expected to continue experiencing haze until the end of September due to the final phase of the Southwest Monsoon.
  • The severity of the haze is heavily influenced by wind direction carrying smoke from uncontrolled forest fires in Indonesia.
  • Air quality is also dependent on rainfall, with continued dry weather exacerbating the issue.

Malaysians are bracing for continued haze until the end of September, as the country remains under the influence of the final phase of the Southwest Monsoon. The Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) stated that the duration and intensity of the haze are largely dependent on the progress of controlling forest fires in neighboring Indonesia.

Dr. Mohd. Hisham Mohd. Anip, Director-General of MetMalaysia, explained that the prevailing wind direction from Indonesia into Malaysia is the primary driver of the worsening haze. This cross-border pollution stems from ongoing, uncontrolled forest fires in the neighboring country. Compounding the issue, the current hot weather and lack of rain in Malaysia, also attributed to the Southwest Monsoon, are expected to persist until September's end.

As long as fires are occurring uncontrollably, it will be difficult for the haze to decrease because the wind direction throughout this monsoon season is from Indonesia to our country.

— Dr. Mohd. Hisham Mohd. AnipDirector-General of MetMalaysia explaining the primary cause of the persistent haze.

"As long as fires are occurring uncontrollably, it will be difficult for the haze to decrease because the wind direction throughout this monsoon season is from Indonesia to our country," Dr. Hisham told Utusan Malaysia. He added that an increase in rainfall could help alleviate the problem.

As of yesterday afternoon, 29 areas across Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, a decrease from 32 areas earlier in the day. The highest reading was recorded at the Serian District Police Headquarters in Sarawak with 182. Other areas in Sarawak, including Sri Aman, Kuching, Samarahan, and Sarikei, also registered unhealthy levels. MetMalaysia noted that atmospheric conditions are not yet conducive for cloud seeding operations. The air quality forecast for the next three to five days remains contingent on developments on the ground, particularly efforts to control fires in Indonesia.

If there is an increase in rainfall, this haze problem can be reduced.

— Dr. Mohd. Hisham Mohd. AnipDirector-General of MetMalaysia suggesting a factor that could mitigate the haze.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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