Haze is back in Penang

The haze has started to blanket Penang skies and the condition is expected to last until mid-September due to the transitional period of the changing winds.

According to the Air Pollutant Index (API) on the Department of Environment's website, as of 1pm, the API reading was recorded at 64 in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and 67 in Seberang Jaya which are at the moderate level.

However, the API reading in USM was seen to experience a steady increase as at 11am, the reading was recorded at 55.

The Meteorological Department, when contacted, said it was monitoring the wind pattern closely and the number of potential hotspots.

"There has been an increase in forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan for the past one week and we are concerned that the wind will blow towards the Malaysian peninsular, which will make the haze worse," said the spokesman.

The haze is considered a yearly unfortunate occurrence for Malaysians from forest fires in the region due to the hot and dry weather, the southwest monsoon season and also due to open burning conducted by farmers to clear their land.