Change In Wind Direction May Bring Back Haze Warning
Change In Wind Direction May Bring Back Haze Warning
18 August 2005
publishedby www.bernama.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR — A change in wind direction, from south-westerly to southerly, forecast for Monday is likely to bring back the haze to the Klang Valley, Perak and Penang, according to the Meteorological Service Thursday.
Director Chow Kok Kee said the change in wind direction, which would bring with it dry weather, was expected to prolong for two to three weeks.
The level of air quality would depend on the state of forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan during that period, he said.
“If fires continue to occur in Sumatra and Kalimantan, there is a possibility that the wind will transport the haze particles to Malaysia, which will again result in lower visibility,” he told reporters.
Chow said the change in wind direction from southerly to south-westerly since last Saturday had brought rain the following day to several areas, especially in southern Peninsular Malaysia, and helped to remove the haze in the Klang Valley.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment (DOE) said in a statement that the air quality was moderate in 28 monitored areas and good in 23 other places.
No unhealthy level of air quality was recorded by the Air Pollutant Index (API), it added.
DOE said the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported that satellite images Wednesday detected 11 hot spots in northern Sumatra, 32 in Kalimantan, 60 in Pahang, 25 in Sandakan and Kudat in Sabah and 14 in Miri, Sarawak.
Up to 11 am Thursday, visibility of six kilometres was recorded in Prai, Bayan Lepas, Butterworth, Ipoh and Subang and eight to nine kilometres in Alor Setar, Petaling Jaya, Lubok Merbau, Melaka, Batu Pahat, Kluang dan Senai, DOE said.
Visibility in other areas was good, at more than 10 kilometres, it added.
