You never know weather – it’s hazy or rainy!

PETALING JAYA: The weather in the country is blowing hot and cold with the air quality in three states dropping close to “unhealthy” levels while flood warnings have been issued in other states.

Port Dickson and Nilai in Negri Sembilan, Bukit Rambai (Malacca), Malacca town and Muar (Johor) have exceeded 85 on the Air Pollutant Index, with the level rising closer to the 100 mark which indicates unhealthy air, according to the Department of Environment website.

API readings of between 0 and 50 indicates good air quality; between 51 and 100 (moderate), between 101 and 200 (unhealthy), between 201 and 300 (very unhealthy) and over 301 (hazardous).

The Meteorological Department said the current haze is caused by the open burning detected in Sumatra, Indonesia.

“Southern winds heading towards peninsular Malaysia have caused the current haze here and the situation is expected to persist for the next few days,” it said via e-mail.

In several other areas, flood warnings have been issued by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).

Public Info Banjir, which is run by DID, said that river levels in these areas – including Kubang Pasu and Pulau Langkawi in Kedah, and Sabak Bernam in Selangor – had exceeded critical levels and that residents in surrounding areas should be on high alert.

“Intermittent rain in Sabah’s west coast (Penampang, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Papar and Kota Kinabalu), interior areas (Beaufort, Kuala Penyu and Sipitang) and Kudat is expected to continue until tomorrow.

“The same weather conditions are expected in Labuan.

“This can cause flooding in low-lying areas,” it said in a statement.

In Tumpat, Kelantan, it warned that heavy rains had passed warning levels, and said those living near the Golok river in Kuala Jambu should prepare for possible flooding.