KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — The country should begin making early preparations for a possible Super El Nino expected later this year, with proactive measures needed to lessen its impact on public health, water resources, agriculture, and the economy, said the Alliance for a Safe Community’s chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Star reported that he said forecasts indicating that Malaysia could experience a Super El Nino from around November, with conditions likely to peak between November and January, should be viewed as an important warning that warrants early action rather than panic.
"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 Nino 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," Lee said when contacted today.
He cautioned that vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, young children, outdoor workers, and people with chronic illnesses, would be at greater risk of heat-related conditions such as heat stress and dehydration.
Lee also emphasised that mitigating the potential effects would require a coordinated national response involving the government, businesses, and the public.
"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.
Lee also called on the authorities to intensify monitoring and enforcement against open burning as well as forest and peatland fires, while ensuring emergency response teams are prepared to respond quickly if needed.
Public health preparedness should be strengthened through timely heat advisories, the establishment of cooling centres where necessary, and greater public awareness 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 said.
Lee underscored the importance of maintaining a stable electricity supply as higher temperatures are expected to increase demand for cooling systems during prolonged hot weather.
"At the same time, we also need more awareness campaigns on water conservation, fire prevention, and personal health precautions.
"Coordination between federal, state, and local authorities should be strengthened to ensure emergency response plans can be activated quickly if conditions deteriorate," he said.
