Those in the northern peninsula will need to brace themselves for a hazy and dry Hari Raya celebration as there are no signs of rain in the coming week.
Haze has engulfed both sides of Penang since Sunday and the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading this morning ranged at an unhealthy level of between 103 and 116.
If Penangites were hoping for a rainy spell to clear the haze, their prayers will not be answered any time soon.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD), rain is not expected in Penang and other parts of northern peninsula in the coming week.
Those in the northern region may need to brace themselves for a hazy and dry Hari Raya celebration.
“Visibility at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas was 2km this morning. But still safe for planes to fly,” said the MMD spokesman.
Yesterday, visibility was between 4km and 6km.
According to the MMD, the current dry spell was due to the three typhoons – Neoguri, Rammasun and Matmo drawing moisture from the region.
“Matmo now on course to hit Taiwan, is not a threat to Malaysia but may cause high waves,” he added.
The powerful Rammasun hit China and the Philippines recently killing 112 people.
An API reading of 0-50 is good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-200 is unhealthy, 201-299 very unhealthy and 300 and above is hazardous.
So far, about 200 hotspots have been identified in Sumatra through images captured through 18 satellites by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
