Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia has been urged to accelerate preparations for a potential super El Niño expected later this year, with the aim of minimising its impact on public health, water security, agriculture and the environment.
Lee Lam Thye, Chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, said that forecasts indicating the country could experience a super El Niño from around November, with conditions expected to peak between November 2026 and January 2027, should be treated as a serious warning rather than a cause for alarm.
The phenomenon is expected to bring significantly higher temperatures, prolonged dry spells, reduced rainfall and a greater risk of haze, particularly after the monsoon season.
Previous El Niño episodes had demonstrated how prolonged hot and dry conditions could trigger water shortages, forest and peatland fires, transboundary haze, lower agricultural yields and threats to food security, he was quoted by local media.
Lee said that vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, young children, outdoor workers and individuals with chronic illnesses, are likely to face increased risks of heat-related illnesses such as heat stress and dehydration.
To reduce the potential impact, a proactive and coordinated nationwide approach is needed, involving the government, businesses and the public.
Water resource management needs to be strengthened through conservation efforts, reducing leakages, expanding water storage capacity and preparing contingency plans for areas vulnerable to shortages, he said.
He also urged authorities to step up monitoring and enforcement against open burning and forest or peatland fires while ensuring emergency response teams are ready to respond swiftly.
Public health preparedness should be enhanced, Lee said, through timely heat advisories, the establishment of cooling centres where necessary, and public education on preventing heat-related illnesses.
Greater support for farmers is also needed through improved irrigation systems, drought-resistant crops, technical assistance and financial aid to reduce losses caused by prolonged dry weather, he added.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring a stable electricity supply as demand for cooling is expected to rise during extended periods of high temperatures./.
Malaysia steps up preparedness for "Super El Niño"
An official said the Malaysian government is shifting towards a proactive approach to disaster prevention, rather than simply responding to disasters, adding that all necessary resources and personnel have been prepared for rapid mobilisation should the situation worsen.
