Don’t Worry About Haze, Public Told
Don’t Worry About Haze, Public Told
14 March 2006
published by www.bernama.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR — The public should not worry about the haze enveloping the country’s skyline this month.
Malaysian Meteorological Services Department Director-General Dr Yap Kok Seng said the possibility of the haze returning to Malaysia was remote as currently the north-east monsoon wind was blowing from north and north-east directions.
“The wind is blowing at a very low range and with the current rainy season, chances of the haze coming back is low,” he told Bernama when asked to comment on a newspaper report about the haze alert.
He, however, said the wind direction might change in late April and could cause haze.
“The wind direction during late April will be from the north-west and since it is south-west monsoon, the wind may blow strongly.
“So, it may bring in the haze…but it all depends on the situation and how fast the fires in Riau can be controlled.
“Our department is closely monitoring the current situation,” he said.
Yap said Monday, the department’s satellite images showed 21 hotspots in Sumatra, 52 in Borneo and 42 in Peninsular Malaysia which could trigger haze.
Last year, forest fires in Pekan Baru in Riau and other districts in the province triggered haze, breaching the 300-point hazardous mark on Air Pollution Index(API).
