Haze from Sumatra shrouds Penang<\/p>\n
MALAYSIA: Malaysia's tourist island of Penang was shrouded with
\nthick haze on Sunday, probably caused by smoke drifting over from
\nfires in neighboring Indonesia, an official said.<\/p>\n
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said that visibility
\nover the island in the country's north was very low at between
\nthree and five kilometers.<\/p>\n
\"The haze is most likely from Sumatra island because for the
\npast few days we have observed hotspot fires there,\" Ambun
\nDindanj, a meterological officer in the Kuala Lumpur bureau, told
\nAFP.<\/p>\n
He said predictions of continuing winds from Sumatra to
\nMalaysia's west would see the haze persist over the next few
\ndays.<\/p>\n
Haze caused by fires in Indonesia and Malaysia are a common
\noccurrence during a hot dry season.<\/p>\n
In 1997 and 1998, haze caused by Indonesian forest fires
\nenveloped parts of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, for
\nmonths. They caused an estimated US$9.3 billion in economic
\nlosses to the region due to serious health problems, traffic
\nhazards and flight disruptions. -- AFP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/haze-from-sumatra-shrouds-penang-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}