KUCHING, June 14: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) is intensifying its monitoring and preparedness efforts as the El Niño phenomenon is expected to begin influencing the country’s weather patterns in the coming months and persist until early next year.

MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the climate phenomenon is likely to bring hotter and drier conditions, particularly during the ongoing southwest monsoon season, which began on May 14 and is expected to last until September.

“Reduced rainfall in certain areas may heighten the risk of water shortages, forest and peatland fires, as well as haze episodes,” he said in a statement today.

To mitigate the potential impacts, Dr Hisham said MetMalaysia has strengthened its preparedness measures, including enhancing the dissemination of weather information and early warnings to government agencies, stakeholders and the public.

“As of this month, the department has conducted more than 70 briefings, meetings and engagement programmes at the national, state and district levels, focusing on preparations for hot and dry weather conditions,” he said.

The engagements included briefings for the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the National Economic Action Council and the Department of Agriculture, as well as presentations at disaster management committee meetings nationwide.

Dr Hisham added that MetMalaysia continues to provide forest and peatland fire risk forecasts of up to seven days, issue haze forecasts and stand ready to support cloud-seeding operations when necessary.

He also urged the public to stay informed through the myCuaca mobile application and MetMalaysia’s official website, practise prudent water usage and refrain from open burning activities. – TVS