Situation likely to mitigate possible effects of impending haze from Kalimantan
PETALING JAYA: The humid weather condition in Sarawak for the next few days may reduce the possible effects of the haze from Kalimantan, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
Director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said if haze occurs in the west of Kalimantan, the smoke is expected to drift towards Sarawak.
In addition, more than 500 hotspots have been identified in west Kalimantan.
“In western areas of Borneo, the wind is expected to blow from the south-southwest direction in the next few days.
“Therefore, if haze occurs in the west of Kalimantan, some of the smoke is expected to move towards the western parts of Sarawak.“However, the weather in Sarawak is expected to be quite humid in the next few days and we hope that rain will reduce the effects of the haze if it occurs,” he said.
Muhammad Helmi said the maximum temperature in most places in Sarawak is expected to be normal at between 32°C and 34°C.
“There is a possibility that the maximum temperature in one or two areas, especially in the interior, may exceed 35°C.
“However, it may not reach the the level of a heatwave,” he pointed out.
Sarawak is forecast to experience rainfalls and/or thunderstorms in one or two locations in the interior for the next seven days.
On Tuesday, hazy skies were reported in Kuching and its surrounding areas after a heavy downpour and strong winds on the same day.
So far, the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in IPD Serian recorded the highest level at 86 yesterday compared with 91 on Tuesday.
An API reading of 51 to 100 is considered moderate while a reading between 101 and 200 is categorised as unhealthy, according to MetMalaysia.
