More haze for southern peninsular Malaysia?

The northwesterly winds may cause ashes from the recently erupted Mount Sinabung volcano in Indonesia to reach the southern peninsular of Malaysia, causing flight disruptions and reduced visibility.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET) said, recent reports showed that the winds may continue until Wednesday. MET added that it will continue monitoring the situation and update its information on the direction of the wind and its possible threat to flights and visibility.

Last Saturday, the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Indonesia confirmed around 16 deaths and 3 injuries following the eruption of Mount Sinabung in the district of Karo, North Sumatera.

Hot clouds of ash and smoke continues to emanate from the volcano at dangerous levels, affecting the health of the people in the surrounding area.

Those who stay close to the area have been moved to a temporary safe house.

Sinabung is one of 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a belt of seismic activity running around the basin of the Pacific Ocean.