Malaysia’s current haze situation is expected to remain largely unchanged over the next three to five days, with limited rainfall unlikely to bring significant improvement to air quality, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
MetMalaysia National Weather and Earthquake Operations Centre senior director Maqrun Fadzli Mohd Fahmi said some areas could receive rain in the coming days, but the amount forecast may not be sufficient to clear the haze, particularly where the concentration of smoke and suspended particles remains high.
He said the current conditions were largely influenced by the Southwest Monsoon, which typically brings drier weather and reduced rainfall between May and September. The prolonged dry conditions can increase temperatures and raise the risk of open burning, which contributes to haze.
“The situation is not expected to undergo any major change. We anticipate some rain in the next few days compared with the current dry conditions, but it may not be enough to remove the haze,” he said during a Bernama TV ‘Fokus 15’ interview on the threat of transboundary haze.
Maqrun said the haze was currently more severe in western and southern Sarawak, where more than 100 schools in Serian were closed yesterday due to deteriorating air quality. Several areas in Peninsular Malaysia, including the Klang Valley, have also been affected.
MetMalaysia continues to monitor hotspots through satellite imagery to identify areas affected by forest and open-burning activities. Wind direction data is then combined with the hotspot information to forecast the movement of smoke and suspended particles and identify areas that could experience worsening haze.
As of noon, data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed 10 areas recording unhealthy air quality readings. They included Samarahan, Serian, Kuching, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Mukah and Sibu in Sarawak, as well as Johan Setia in Selangor, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Minden in Penang.
Maqrun also urged the public to avoid open burning and reduce unnecessary outdoor activities while air quality remains poor. He said continued monitoring was important as weather conditions and wind patterns could influence how quickly the haze spreads or improves.
With dry weather expected to continue, authorities are reminding the public to remain cautious and follow health advice, particularly in areas recording unhealthy air quality.
