Kuala Lumpur, August 2 — Singapore and Malaysia are currently experiencing haze due to forest fires in Indonesia.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, it has already affected Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and areas in Selangor.
The hot and dry weather patterns are expected to last as long as there are hotspots in Sumatra. Dozens of hotspots with smoke plumes indicating outbreaks of burning have been observed in southern Kalimantan and central Sumatra.
The meteorological department stated that the southwest monsoon winds were blowing smog from these hotspots resulting in the likelihood of Peninsular Malaysia being affected by haze for some time to come.
However, based on data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre, five hotspots were also detected in Peninsular Malaysia, four and one in Pahang and Johor respectively.
Bernama has reported that the Ministry of Health issued an advisory for the public to reduce outdoor physical activities. This is to reduce the likelihood of respiratory and metabolism related illnesses.
