KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians can breathe a temporary sigh of relief as despite the alarming number of forest fires in Indonesia, no haze is expected at least until May.

Meteorological Department director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said Malaysia is currently in the clear from the smog affecting Indonesia due to favourable wind patterns.

“For now the wind is blowing from the north-east direction so the haze from Indonesia won’t be blown to Malaysia.”

“This should continue until later this month or early April when the inter monsoon starts here, the wind will be light and variable and we will have more rainfall, especially in the west coast of peninsular Malaysia,” she added.

Che Gayah however stressed that the onset of the south-west monsoon come May or June could bring about hazy days if there were forest fires in Indonesia.

She said lingering wind patterns during this hot and dry season ending in September have the capacity to carry the smog to Malaysia.

As seen in past years, the haze during these months could persist over a longer period due to such conditions.

Che Gayah said, for now, Malaysia’s only worry should be from the fires within the nation with firemen fighting to control about 10 hotspots burning nationwide.

The fires are also believed to be compounded by the effects of El-Nino which is expected to persist until June.

So far the Air Pollutant Index has ranged from good to moderate nationwide.

Indonesia has declared a state of emergency in Riau, Sumatera, to be on guard against a possible recurrence of last year’s unprecedented haze.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/03/132029/no-haze-expected-malaysia-until-may-meteorological-dept