PUTRAJAYA: Several areas in the country remain at risk of hazy weather and limited visibility from Aug 27 to 31, according to a weather forecast model monitored by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the situation was due to southwest monsoon winds and the persistently high number of hotspots in southern Sumatra and western Kalimantan.
"The MyCMAQ (Malaysian Community Multiscale Air Quality Model) haze concentration model forecast indicates that Sarawak has the potential to be the most affected area, with most districts expected to experience hazy weather at the Unhealthy level.
"Several districts also have the potential to reach the Very Unhealthy level on Aug 30 and 31," he said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 27).
Mohd Hisham said hazy conditions were expected to occur in Sabah from this Saturday, while high haze concentrations could potentially affect Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until Aug 31.
"MetMalaysia is continuously monitoring the situation and will update the forecast based on the latest weather changes and atmospheric conditions," he said.
Earlier, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the government was considering whether to scale down or change the location of the National Day celebration on Aug 31 due to the haze situation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also urged Malaysians to pray that the situation remained under control ahead of the celebration and Malaysia Day on Sept 16, as preparations involving the government machinery were actively underway for the two celebrations. – Bernama
