Transboundary haze from Sumatera envelopes northern Peninsular

The air quality nationwide has deteriorated especially in the northern states in the Peninsular due to the transboundary haze from Sumatera brought by south-westerly winds.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said, the thick haze due to continued fires central and southern Sumatera has enveloped several areas on the west coast of the Peninsular, especially the four northern states.

“The air quality has deteriorated to very unhealthy levels in the affected areas due to the transboundary haze from Sumatera and Kalimantan, Indonesia brought by south-westerly winds,” he said in a statement here today.

Wan Junaidi said, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) also found 35 hotspots in Sumatera.

He said, the haze has also affected several areas in east Sarawak and west Sabah mainly due to fires in central Kalimantan.

Wan Junaidi said, the decline in air quality was exacerbated by tropical storms Koppu and Champi which were still active in the Pacific Ocean.

“The presence of both these tropical cyclone systems is still affecting the winds patterns in our country.

“Currently Tropical Story Koppu is located approximately at 1,521 km northeast of Kudat, Sabah and is moving east-northeast at a very slow pace.

“Meanwhile Tropical Storm Champi is located at approximately 2,997 km northeast of Sandakan, Sabah and is moving north-northeast at a very slow pace,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said, as the same time, there is expected to be a decrease in rainfall nationwide due to south-westerly winds which is moving at moderate speed.