Hazy months expected until October as dry spell likely to continue

An increase in hotspot activities can continue to be expected in the fire-prone areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia and Sarawak in Malaysia over the next few months, contributing to more haze pollution in the region, an international meeting noted Wednesday.

The 8th meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution, being held in Singapore, also noted that the El Nino phenomenon was likely to exacerbate and prolong the current dry season until October.

The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre reported that the prevailing weak El Nino condition was forecast to intensify to a moderate-to-strong El Nino event in the last quarter of this year, according to a statement released by the meeting, held in Singapore.

Temperatures may go up by 3˚C with El Nino phenomenon

Brace yourself for hotter days. The El Nino phenomenon is coming.

And with warmer weather, the Government warns that the haze will worsen.

El Nino is a climatic condition where abnormal warming of the Pacific Ocean causes dry weather in South-East Asia and northern Australia.

Hazy day: The Petronas Twin Towers and other buildings in Kuala Lumpur enveloped by the haze Tuesday. With the approach of the El Nino phenomenon, Malaysians have been told to expect hotter and drier days for the next three months. — SHAARI CHEMAT / The Star