Haze expected to begin to clear over the weekend

The haze is expected to clear in central and southern regions of Maldives over the upcoming weekend, while the air quality will remain poor in the north, according to the Maldives Meteorological Service.

Readings on Thursday showed an Air Quality Index (AQI) level of 62 in the central city of Male’, indicating “yellow” or "moderate" to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" air quality. It shows the air quality will improve the next two days in Male’, as well as Addu in the south.

A spokesperson from the Meteorological Service told Sun on Thursday that the air quality will improve in central and southern regions of the country over the upcoming weekend, but will continue to be poor in the north.

The visibility in central and southern regions is around 7 to 8 kilometers, while the visibility in the north will be around 3 to 4 kilometers, forecasts the weather agency.

While haze is common with the onset of the Iruvai Monsoon, it usually lasts only a couple of weeks. But this time around, the Maldives has been battling haze with only brief respites since December, endangering public health.