Super El Nino Forecast Should Serve As Early Warning For Thorough Preparations
KUALA LUMPUR: The forecast that the country may face the Super El Nino phenomenon starting November must be taken seriously and serve as an early warning for the nation to make thorough preparations.
Community Safety Alliance Chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said the phenomenon is expected to bring hotter than usual weather, prolonged dry spells, reduced rainfall, and increased risks of forest fires, peatland fires and haze.
He said past experiences have shown that El Nino does not only cause hot weather, but also has significant impacts on water supply, the agricultural sector, food security, public health, the environment and the national economy.
“The elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic illnesses are among the groups most at risk of health problems due to extreme heat.
“As such, all parties need to take proactive measures by strengthening water resource management through water conservation, reducing non-revenue water (NRW) rates, increasing reservoir capacity, and preparing emergency plans for areas at risk of water supply disruptions.
“In addition, monitoring and enforcement to prevent open burning as well as forest and peatland fires must be carried out.
“At the same time, the health sector needs to be on standby by issuing early warnings regarding heat risks, expanding public awareness campaigns, and ensuring treatment facilities are prepared to handle cases related to heatstroke and dehydration,” he said in a media statement here today.
The media reported that Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to immediately prepare mitigation measures to face the Super El Nino phenomenon forecast to hit Malaysia starting November.
He was reported as saying that the measures are crucial to reduce the phenomenon’s impact on the country’s food production, while also ensuring that farming communities continue to be protected.
Lam Thye said the agricultural sector also needs to be assisted through the use of more efficient irrigation technology, the cultivation of drought-resistant crop varieties, and the provision of assistance to affected farmers.
“Electricity supply must also remain stable to accommodate increased energy usage during hot weather.
“Coordination between the Federal Government, state governments, local authorities, the private sector and the community needs to be strengthened to ensure that action plans can be implemented quickly and effectively.
“Early preparation is always better than acting after a disaster strikes. With careful planning, cooperation from all parties and swift action, the nation can mitigate the impact of the Super El Nino and protect the well-being of the people, the economy and the environment,” he said.
Berita Harian