PUTRAJAYA: The government, through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), is strengthening the country's level of preparedness following forecasts of more challenging hot and dry weather conditions due to the El Nino phenomenon, which is expected to persist until early 2027.

This includes cross-agency cooperation to address any disaster risks arising from the prolonged hot and dry conditions.

Nadma director-general Meor Ismail Meor Akim said that although the situation remains under control, the government is not taking it lightly and has instructed all relevant agencies to enhance their preparedness and implement mitigation measures early to ensure public safety, the continuity of water supply and the nation's well-being.

"Three cloud-seeding operations have been scheduled to be carried out in the near future to help increase rainfall distribution and reservoir levels in affected areas.

MetMalaysia has also been instructed to issue haze forecasts and provide forest fire prediction data generated through the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS), with projections covering the next seven days, to the Fire and Rescue Department .

Meor Ismail said the fire department has been directed to work with the Department of Environment to continuously monitor 83 hotspots identified as being at high risk of open burning throughout the Southwest Monsoon period as part of early mitigation efforts.

"The Department of Irrigation and Drainage must identify dams requiring maintenance so that the relevant parties can take immediate action, while the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG) must identify additional groundwater source locations for the construction of tube wells as a mitigation measure in water-stressed areas," he said.

On public health, he said the Health Ministry had been tasked with intensifying public awareness campaigns on the health effects of hot weather, particularly among high-risk groups.

At the same time, the Education Ministry has been asked to roll out a nationwide awareness programme on coping with hot weather for school students to enhance awareness and reduce the risks associated with the Southwest Monsoon.

He said the whole-of-government approach remains a key pillar of the Madani Government's efforts to ensure that all relevant agencies maintain an optimum level of preparedness to address any disaster risks arising from hot and dry weather conditions.

"Nadma will continue to monitor developments and coordinate the actions of all relevant agencies to ensure that the safety, well-being and interests of the people remain the top priority," he said.

– Bernama

PUTRAJAYA — The government, through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), is strengthening the country’s level of preparedness following forecasts of more challenging hot and dry weather conditions due to the El Nino phenomenon, which is expected to persist until early 2027.

This includes cross-agency cooperation to address any disaster risks arising from the prolonged hot and dry conditions.

NADMA director-general Meor Ismail Meor Akim said that although the situation remains under control, the government is not taking it lightly and has instructed all relevant agencies to enhance their preparedness and implement mitigation measures early to ensure public safety, the continuity of water supply and the nation’s well-being.

“Three cloud-seeding operations have been scheduled to be carried out in the near future to help increase rainfall distribution and reservoir levels in affected areas.

“The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates on the El Nino phenomenon throughout the Southwest Monsoon period,” he said in a statement today. 

MetMalaysia has also been instructed to issue haze forecasts and provide forest fire prediction data generated through the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS), with projections covering the next seven days, to the Fire and Rescue Department  (JBPM).

According to Meor Ismail, the JBPM has been directed to work with the Department of Environment to continuously monitor 83 hotspots identified as being at high risk of open burning throughout the Southwest Monsoon period as part of early mitigation efforts.

“The Department of Irrigation and Drainage must identify dams requiring maintenance so that the relevant parties can take immediate action, while the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG) must identify additional groundwater source locations for the construction of tube wells as a mitigation measure in water-stressed areas,” he said.

On public health, he said the Health Ministry had been tasked with intensifying public awareness campaigns on the health effects of hot weather, particularly among high-risk groups.

At the same time, the Education Ministry has been asked to roll out a nationwide awareness programme on coping with hot weather for school students to enhance awareness and reduce the risks associated with the Southwest Monsoon.

He stressed that the whole-of-government approach remains a key pillar of the MADANI Government’s efforts to ensure that all relevant agencies maintain an optimum level of preparedness to address any disaster risks arising from hot and dry weather conditions.

“NADMA will continue to monitor developments and coordinate the actions of all relevant agencies to ensure that the safety, well-being and interests of the people remain the top priority,” he said. — BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan susulan jangkaan cuaca panas dan kering yang lebih mencabar akibat fenomena El Nino yang dijangka berterusan hingga awal tahun depan.

Ketua Pengarah Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA), Meor Ismail Meor Akim, berkata rumusan Mesyuarat Penyelarasan Persediaan Menghadapi Monsun Barat Daya (MBD) 2026 mendapati negara kini berdepan peningkatan risiko fenomena El Niño termasuk kebakaran terbuka, kemarau, jerebu serta cuaca kering berpanjangan.

"Walaupun keadaan semasa masih terkawal, kerajaan tidak mengambil mudah dan semua agensi berkaitan diminta mempertingkat kesiapsiagaan.

"Langkah mitigasi lebih awal juga perlu dilaksanakan bagi memastikan keselamatan rakyat, kelangsungan bekalan air serta kesejahteraan negara terus terpelihara," katanya dalam kenyataan, hari ini.

Beliau berkata, antara langkah mitigasi dipersetujui ialah pelaksanaan tujuh siri Operasi Pembenihan Awan (OPA) membabitkan 27 penerbangan sejak Februari lalu meliputi zon utara, selatan, timur, Sabah dan Sarawak.

"Tiga lagi siri operasi dijadual dilaksanakan dalam masa terdekat bagi meningkatkan taburan hujan serta paras empangan di kawasan terjejas.

"Operasi dilaksanakan dengan kerjasama Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) melalui penggunaan pesawat C-130 Hercules, manakala Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MET Malaysia) bertanggungjawab menyelaras aspek teknikal dan saintifik pembenihan awan," katanya.

Selain itu, katanya MET Malaysia juga akan terus membuat pemantauan dan mengeluarkan status kemas kini fenomena El Niño sepanjang MBD serta mengeluarkan ramalan jerebu dan maklumat ramalan kebakaran hutan melalui sistem Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) dengan unjuran tujuh hari ke hadapan.

"Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) pula diminta bekerjasama dengan Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) memantau 83 lokasi titik panas berisiko tinggi kebakaran terbuka sepanjang Monsun Barat Daya.

"Kedua-dua agensi itu turut diminta memperbanyak program kesedaran komuniti bersama Rakan NADMA mengenai bahaya pembakaran terbuka di kawasan titik panas," katanya.

Tambah Meor Ismail, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) diminta mengenal pasti empangan yang memerlukan penyelenggaraan supaya tindakan segera dapat diambil.

"Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains Malaysia (JMG) pula diminta mengenal pasti lebih banyak lokasi sumber air bawah tanah untuk pembinaan telaga tiub sebagai salah satu kaedah mitigasi di kawasan kekurangan air," katanya.

"Kementerian Kesihatan diminta memperluas hebahan mengenai kesan cuaca panas terutama kepada golongan berisiko tinggi, manakala Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) akan melaksanakan program kesedaran cuaca panas di sekolah seluruh negara," katanya.

Menurut beliau, NADMA akan terus memantau perkembangan situasi semasa serta menyelaras tindakan semua agensi berkaitan bagi memastikan keselamatan, kesejahteraan dan kepentingan rakyat terus menjadi keutamaan.

PUTRAJAYA: The government is stepping up preparations as hotter and drier weather linked to the El Niño phenomenon is expected to continue until early 2027, says the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).

Its director-general Meor Ismail Meor Akim said the country faces higher risks of open burning, drought, haze and prolonged dry spells as the Southwest Monsoon (MBD) approaches.

It said that although the situation remains under control, the government is not taking it lightly and has directed all relevant agencies to step up preparedness and take early mitigation steps to safeguard public safety and water supply.

Among the measures taken, includes Nadma coordinating seven series of cloud seeding operations involving 27 flights since February 2026 across the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, with three more series scheduled soon to boost rainfall and dam levels.

“The operations are conducted with the Royal Malaysian Air Force using C-130 Hercules aircraft, while the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) handles the technical aspects.

“MetMalaysia will continue to monitor and issue updates on El Niño throughout the monsoon period, including haze forecasts and forest fire risk projections through the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) with a seven-day outlook,” it added.

The Fire and Rescue Department has been instructed to work with the Department of Environment to monitor 83 high-risk hotspot locations for open burning and to carry out more community awareness programmes with Nadma partners.

Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has been told to identify dams requiring maintenance, while the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia will look for more underground water sources for tube wells in water-scarce areas.

Additionally, the Health Ministry will have hot‑weather health advisories for vulnerable groups, while the Education Ministry rolls out nationwide awareness programmes in schools.

“The whole‑of‑government approach remains central to the government’s efforts to ensure all agencies are at optimal readiness against risks from hot and dry weather,” it added.