MALAYSIANS can expect a temporary relief from unhealthy air early next week due to changing winds, said Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

Its director-general Jailan Simon said by Sunday or Monday, the air quality will improve for Peninsular Malaysia.

“As for Sarawak, the smoke will clear up either on Saturday or Sunday because the winds will change direction.

“This is a temporary relief for four to five days. But, the smoke may return if the winds are blowing from the southwest again,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“The north easterly wind is still not stable. Once it is stable, October onwards we should have clear skies.

“The fires are still ongoing and the wind is still not yet stable even though it is blowing from the northeast. It can change temporarily and the smoke may return but it won’t be so severe.”

He also said MetMalaysia is carrying out cloud seeding today in Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor.

The number of areas nationwide affected by the transboundary smoke has increased to 45 districts.

Sarawak continues to experience very unhealthy air readings of more than 200 in six districts as of 11am today, said the Department of Environment.

They are Sibu (244), Sarikei (236), Sri Aman (212), Samarahan (226), Mukah (207) and Kuching (272).

In Kuala Lumpur as of 11am, the air quality reading at Batu Muda is 136, Cheras (143), Putrajaya (145) and in Selangor, Petaling Jaya stands at 157 and Shah Alam (149).

In Penang, Balik Pulau’s air quality reading is 197, while in Perak, Seri Manjung is at 110. Nilai in Negri Sembilan is at 161 while Malacca town is at 140.

While in Kedah, Sungai Petani’s reading is 127, Larkin in Johor is at 150 and Kuala Terangganu at 123.

This has forced the government to shut down schools and carry out cloud seeding efforts at badly affected areas.

Yesterday, the MetMalaysia said the smoke was expected to recede by the end of the month.

In a statement to The Malaysian Insight, the department said the air pollution would continue next week but the quality of air would improve in the coming week.

An air pollutant index reading of 0-50 is good, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 300 and above (hazardous).

Malaysia is currently experiencing the southwest monsoon that is expected to end in late September or early October. – September 19, 2019.