No indications of toxic volcanic ash entering Malaysian airspace

Malaysian meteorological authorities have refuted claims that toxic volcanic ash from Indonesia's Anak Krakatau is entering Malaysian airspace. Director-General Hisham Anip of the Department of Meteorology stated that monitoring data indicates the ash is moving towards the Indian Ocean northwest of Sumatra, not towards Malaysia.

Hisham emphasized that the volcano is being closely monitored by an international centre in Darwin, Australia. He clarified that the volcanic eruption and the El Niño phenomenon are two distinct events that occurred around the same time, leading to unfounded assumptions of their connection. Hisham stressed that the ash is moving towards open waters, not targeting the peninsula, Sabah, or Sarawak.

He dismissed the claims circulating on social media and urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information to prevent panic. Hisham also noted that Malaysia is currently in the normal El Niño phase, which is transitioning from weak to moderate or strong, with the potential to reach a Super El Niño level by March or April next year, primarily affecting the northern states.

The viral post warning of sulphur dioxide from the eruption entering Malaysian airspace has been debunked.