Met Dept: Haze to improve next week with monsoon transition

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians can expect the haze situation to improve once the monsoon transition phase kicks in next week, as thunderstorms and heavy downpours are expected to take place across the country.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the monsoon transition phase is expected to begin next Tuesday (Sept 24) and will last until the beginning of November.

This marks the end of the Southwest Monsoon period, which began on May 6, said the department.

"During this phase, regional areas of the country will receive wind from various directions with low speeds, which poses as a potential for the formation of a thunderstorm," it said in a statement on Saturday (Sept 21).

Thunderstorms along with heavy downpours and strong winds are expected during the evening and night in the West Coast and interior areas of Peninsular Malaysia, the west coast of Sabah, and central Sarawak, as well as its west coast.

While the rainy weather has the potential to cause flash floods and damage towards weak infrastructures, the department said the haze situation is expected to improve.

The public is advised to be more alert during this period and always stay updated with weather predictions and warning by the department through its website, myCuaca app and social media.