PUTRAJAYA: The Southwest Monsoon (MBD), which began on May 10 and is expected to last until September, is not likely to bring extreme dry weather, as the current El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) pattern remains in a neutral phase, said National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah.

He said that as a result, the impact of droughts typically associated with MBD is expected to be less severe this year compared to last year.

“Although the MBD typically brings drier weather to Peninsular Malaysia, the neutral ENSO status means that severe droughts, often associated with El Niño, are less likely to occur.

“In short, the neutral status of ENSO means we can expect more ‘normal’ monsoon without the extreme effects of El Niño or La Niña, which is expected to continue until October,“ he said today during an engagement session with the media regarding the government’s preparations for MBD, here.

However, Abdul Halim noted that hot weather conditions can still pose health risks, lead to water supply shortages, forest and bushfires, as well as haze, adding that if prolonged, they may also affect agricultural yields.

He said the key characteristics of MBD include low rainfall over Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, more dry days across most states, and the formation of squall lines (clusters of active thunderstorm clouds that form over the sea and move inland) typically in the mornings along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and western Sabah.

“Local and transboundary haze incidents may also occur if forest fires are not brought under control,“ he said, adding that NADMA, together with the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Department of Environment (DOE) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia), is fully prepared in terms of logistics and manpower to face the impacts of the Southwest Monsoon.

On water resource management and hydrological drought (shortage of water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or groundwater), he said forecasts related to drought, including dam storage and river flow rates, indicate that most major dams and river water remain at normal levels with only the Malut Dam in Kedah is at alert status with a storage level of 37.6 per cent as of May 27.

“Tomorrow, we will hold a coordination meeting on cloud seeding operations in Kedah, specifically for the Bukit Malut Dam issue, as a proactive measure. We will not wait until the dam runs dry to carry out the operation,“ he said.

He said JBPM had been appointed as the coordinating agency to handle complaints related to open burning to avoid overlapping actions and ensure swift and accurate responses, noting that in the first five months of this year, JBPM responded to 3,791 open burning cases, with the highest number of incidents recorded in five states: Kedah (547), Johor (468), Terengganu (384), Selangor (368), and Perak (357).

Abdul Halim said between Jan 1 and May 19, DOE identified 125 hotspots across Malaysia and investigated 2,391 open burning cases, issued 34 compounds, and brought 16 cases to court.

Meanwhile, MET Malaysia’s deputy director-general of operations, Ambun Dindang, said the highest temperatures, between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius, are expected in July and August, with the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia and inland areas likely to experience hotter weather compared to most locations.

Established in 2015, NADMA is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing policies and strategies related to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

The agency also serves as the country’s central reference point for managing various types of disasters, including floods, haze, earthquakes, and pandemics, through close collaboration with multiple government agencies, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, and local communities.

Putrajaya: Masyarakat tidak perlu bimbang dengan penularan subvarian baharu Covid-19, JN.1, kerana ia tidak berbahaya berbanding varian pada awal kemunculan wabak itu, menurut Kementerian Kesihatan (KKM).

Dalam kenyataan hari ini, KKM memaklumkan meskipun terdapat peningkatan kes Covid-19 dalam komuniti sejak kebelakangan ini, purata kes mingguan masih kekal di bawah paras amaran kebangsaan dan tiada kematian dilaporkan setakat ini.

"Situasi ini selaras dengan peralihan fasa hidup bersama Covid-19. Jangkitan juga dapat dikawal sekiranya tahap imunisasi dalam tubuh berada pada tahap optimum," menurut kenyataan itu.

Sehubungan itu, golongan berisiko tinggi digalakkan mendapatkan suntikan dos tambahan vaksin Covid-19 bagi mengurangkan risiko jangkitan, komplikasi serius dan kematian akibat wabak berkenaan.

KUCHING, June 12 —The Ministry of Health (MoH) has assured the public that the JN.1 Covid-19 subvariant, which has been spreading recently, is not as dangerous as the variants that circulated during the pandemic period.

The ministry also stated that although there has been a recent increase in Covid-19 cases nationwide, the average weekly number of cases remains below the national warning threshold, and no deaths have been reported so far.

In a statement today, MoH highlighted that Covid-19 infections can be effectively controlled by maintaining a strong level of immunity.

As such, the ministry encourages individuals in high-risk groups to receive an additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to reduce the risk of infection, serious complications, and death.

“The administration of the Covid-19 vaccine is encouraged for high-risk groups consisting of individuals who have not received the vaccine before,” said the ministry, adding that even those who had previously been vaccinated are encouraged to go for another round.

High-risk groups include individuals aged 18 years and above as well as individuals aged 12 years and above, who have comorbidities or are immunocompromised, pregnant women and healthcare workers, especially those who have direct contact with patients.

MoH said the Covid-19 vaccine is given voluntarily and free of charge at selected government health clinics nationwide, which can be looked up at website covid-19.moh.gov.my and the MySejahtera application.

The public is also advised to continue observing standard Covid-19 prevention measures, such as washing hands regularly with soap or hand sanitiser, practising proper cough etiquette, and wearing a face mask when symptomatic or in crowded places.

“The MoH remains committed to ensuring that community health is given priority and that health services and control of the spread of any epidemic are at the best level,” it added. — The Borneo Post

Putrajaya: Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) memaklumkan cuaca panas semasa tempoh Monsun Barat Daya (MBD) pada tahun ini dijangka tidak membawa kesan yang terlalu ekstrem.

Ketua Pengarahnya, Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, berkata ia susulan status El Nino Southern Oscilation (ENSO) yang bersifat neutral sekali gus menjadikan impak kemarau tidak seteruk seperti tahun lalu.

"Secara ringkasnya, status neutral ENSO ini bermakna kita boleh menjangkakan monsun yang lebih 'biasa' tanpa pengaruh ekstrem yang dibawa oleh El Nino atau La Nina. Jangkaan ini diramal berterusan sehingga Oktober 2025.

"Walau bagaimanapun, kesan cuaca kering ini masih boleh menyebabkan punca risiko kesihatan, kekurangan bekalan air, kebakaran hutan dan belukar, serta jerebu, dan jika berpanjangan, ia boleh menjejaskan hasil pertanian," katanya pada sesi Taklimat Media Persediaan Menghadapi MBD 2025 di sini, hari ini.

Sementara itu, Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Operasi Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (METMalaysia), Ambun Dindang berkata, pihaknya menjangkakan purata suhu pada musim panas boleh mencapai hingga 36'C dan 37'C bergantung kepada kawasan.

"Lain tempat, lain purata dia punya suhu. Jadi ia bergantung mengikut kawasan terutamanya kalau kawasan pedalaman dan juga di utara negara dia akan lebih tinggi sedikit.

"Secara umum kita boleh lihat musim MBD ini di pedalaman lebih panas kerana ia lembab dan sinaran matahari itu lebih diserap.

"Justeru, suhu itu dalam julat purata mungkin dalam 36'C dan 37'C terutama pada bulan Julai hingga Ogos dan selepas itu menurun pada September," katanya.

Selain itu, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) melaporkan bahawa satu empangan berada di tahap waspada kemarau hidrologi, iaitu Empangan Malut di Kedah, dengan status simpanan 37.6 peratus setakat 27 Mei 2025.

Esok satu mesyuarat penyelarasan operasi pembenihan awan di negeri Kedah akan dilakukan sebagai langkah proaktif mengatasi isu itu.

MBD bermula pada Selasa lalu dan berterusan sehingga September ini susulan tiupan angin yang mula bertiup secara konsisten dari arah barat daya ke rantau negara.

Sepanjang musim terbabit, kadar kelembapan udara lazimnya rendah, sekali gus menyebabkan kurangnya pembentukan awan hujan di kebanyakan tempat.

Justeru, negara akan menerima jumlah hujan yang lebih rendah berbanding tempoh lain dengan bilangan hari tanpa hujan adalah lebih banyak.

Bagaimanapun, hujan lebat berserta angin kencang dan ribut petir masih boleh berlaku di kawasan barat Semenanjung, utara Sarawak dan barat Sabah, terutamanya pada awal pagi, berikutan kehadiran fenomena garis badai.