Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged Malaysians to prepare for intensified heat and reduced rainfall following the anticipated onset of El Nino, which could influence weather patterns through early 2027. Speaking in his capacity as chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, Ahmad Zahid flagged the potential for the phenomenon to intensify dryness throughout the Southwest Monsoon period.
The El Nino effect is projected to suppress rainfall across multiple regions and amplify dangers including water scarcity, forest and peatland combustion, and atmospheric haze. Ahmad Zahid cautioned that vigilance and prudent resource management will be essential during this period. He specifically advised water conservation, prohibition of uncontrolled burning, and heightened attention to vulnerable populations exposed to extreme temperatures.
The Deputy Prime Minister recommended that the public stay updated via the myCuaca application and resources provided by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). Coordinated planning and conscientious behaviour from all segments of society are vital for mitigating potential impacts, he emphasised.
Government agencies will sustain close observation of weather developments and implement timely interventions to safeguard public welfare, Ahmad Zahid assured. MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip corroborated the assessment, noting that the Southwest Monsoon, which commenced on May 14 and continues through September, will likely experience warmer and drier conditions than the seasonal norm.
