KUALA LUMPUR: Transboundary haze could soon sweep Malaysia due to dry weather caused by the ongoing El Nino climate phenomenon and the predicted South-West Monsoon, says the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

       Its director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said the country is expected to experience drier weather in the coming months as El Nino grows in strength.

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       "El Nino conditions have been detected in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are expected to continue until the beginning of 2024 with a probability of over 90%.

       "According to forecasts by the international monitoring agency, its strength is expected to reach its maximum level at the end of this year and the beginning of next year.

       "The phenomenon is capable of causing prolonged dry weather and may result in less rainfall that can subsequently result in forest fires," he said in a statement in reply to an earlier query by The Star.

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       Muhammad Helmi warned that this dry climate combined with winds from the South-West Monsoon could cause transboundary haze to return.

       "The wind direction for the monsoon season is expected to consistently flow upwards from Malaysia's south-west this month.

       "As such, transboundary haze can occur if many widespread forest fires flare up and the wind is from that direction," he said.