PETALING JAYA, March 18 ― Following the wet weather over the weekend, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said more rain is expected in the remaining days of the month.
Its national weather centre director, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, said as the region approaches the inter-monsoon season, heavy showers and thunderstorms will replace the prolonged dry spells.
“The heavy rain will increase in frequency and most likely occur in the afternoons and late evenings,” he said.
Muhammad Helmi said the pattern is expected to continue in the following month, partly due to the inter-monsoon season.
“The shift from the northeast monsoon season indicates light and variable wind patterns, where more widespread showers will occur,” he said.
Due to the change in season, Muhammad Helmi said the haze is expected to improve as well.
“As long as we get heavy rain at the right places, the hazy weather will ease. Peat fires are the main contributors to haze, and they are difficult to extinguish because the fire burns deep into the ground,” he said.
“Therefore, heavy rain is needed to put out the fire.”
Following the showers over the past three days, air pollutant index (API) readings nationwide have improved significantly.
Putrajaya, Port Klang and Banting had a moderate API reading of 67, 54, and 62, respectively, as of 5pm yesterday. The highest reading was 73, recorded in Kuantan.
Meanwhile, despite showers taking place over water catchment areas, water levels at dams in Selangor remain at critical levels.
Yesterday, the Sungai Selangor dam recorded 39.12 per cent, while Klang Gates was at 51.30 per cent.
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