Dry weather, open burning causing haze

Several areas in the Klang Valley were covered in haze as seen from this photo taken at 2.30pm Tuesday.

KLANG: Dry weather conditions along with south-westerly winds now blowing in the region, coupled with open burning are causing hazy conditions.

This occurance is prevalent especially over the central part of Peninsular Malaysia, which include Klang Valley, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau.

He added that Malaysia is currently experiencing the southwest monsoon since the third week of May 2016, which is expected to last until mid September 2016.

"During the southwest monsoon, the atmospheric conditions throughout the country will be dry and thus, bring less rain to the country as compared to other seasons," said Tangau.

Haze associated with local burning activities and transboundary haze from the neighbouring country is expected to occur during the dry weather conditions.

However, isolated afternoon rain is expected to occur throughout the country until end of this week.

"Likewise, the south westerly wind is expected to persist till end of the week.

"As such, should the transboundary haze persist or local burning activities occur, hazy weather condition could be expected in our country," said Tangau.

He said based on the satellite image at 3.28pm Tuesday, two hotspots were detected in Pahang and two other hotspots in Sarawak.

Twenty three hotspots were also detected in central Sumatera and 77 hotspots in north western Kalimantan, said Tangau.