‘Super’ El Nino Effects Expected To Be Felt In January Next Year

SHAH ALAM: The effects of the ‘Super’ El Nino phenomenon, such as extreme hot weather due to reduced rainfall, are expected to begin being felt in January next year.

Director General of the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the northern states such as Perlis and Kedah, as well as northern Sabah, will feel the effects first.

He said, following that, zone chiefs have been informed and instructed to make early preparations to face the phenomenon and any possibilities, including forest fires.

“It is expected that several areas in the country will experience significant rainfall reduction in March and April next year.

“At the district level, I have asked fire stations to cooperate with DID (Department of Irrigation and Drainage), ATM (Malaysian Armed Forces) and the Forestry Department of each state in the event of forest fires,” he told reporters at the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Dialogue Programme (BIGIAR) 2026 here today.

Nor Hisham added that his department also ensures that low water pressure issues can be addressed by using portable water pumps during firefighting operations.

Meanwhile, he informed that JBPM has prepared 667 rescue and firefighting assets to face extreme hot weather due to the El Nino phenomenon.

“Among the assets deployed are water tanker trucks, fire rescue tender (FRT) trucks and portable pumps. Typically, portable pumps are used to extinguish forest fires, especially in areas without land access,” he explained.

In June, Utusan Malaysia reported that the El Nino phenomenon, which was expected to begin last month, has the potential to become strong and could reach super level with a probability of increase of 96 per cent by the end of this year to early next year.

Director General of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), Dr. Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the latest forecast from the United States Climate Prediction Center (CPC) on June 8 shows that the chance of El Nino occurring starting this month is 82 per cent.

Following that, JBPM was reported to have strengthened its preparedness to face the Super El Nino phenomenon, which is expected to hit the country between November and January next year, through the addition of land and air assets.

Utusan Malaysia