PETALING JAYA: While the convergence of the El Nino weather phenomenon and the south-west monsoon is expected to bring about hotter than usual conditions across the region, for Malaysia, an additional threat looms.
Transboundary haze, which has long been a bane, could potentially make a strong comeback after having waned in recent years.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said, based on department records, the transboundary haze period usually occurs during the peak of the south-west monsoon season, between July and October.
“The presence of the forecasted strong El Nino later this year can result in more severe haze episodes during this period, especially if forest fires are not managed swiftly,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Transboundary haze episodes occur due to uncontrolled forest fires, he said, explaining that winds from Indonesia blow across to Malaysia during the south-west monsoon period, resulting in haze entering the country due to uncontrolled forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
“Lesser rainfall across the southern parts of the region during the south-west monsoon contribute to forest fires, raising the potential risk of both domestic and transboundary haze,” he said.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the department will be strengthening drone fleets as part of its preparedness for the dry season.
“This enhances our air monitoring mechanisms, which also enables better strategic and tactical arrangements.”
He also said meetings have been held with all the department’s state and zone divisions to enhance preparedness, including the deployment of strategic assets.
“A focus is also placed towards identifying the availability of excavators and large capacity pumps from the Drainage and Irrigation Department,” he said.
Some 24,434 of the department’s personnel will be on duty during the current season.
This comprises 13,230 officers, 2,254 auxiliary officers and 8,950 volunteer officers.
He said 1,692 of the department’s assets are ready to be deployed.
“About 80% of the department’s personnel will have their leave suspended during peak risk periods,” he said, urging the public to immediately report instances of open burning to the authorities.
The National Disaster Management Agency said it is strengthening preparations towards the coming hot and dry spell, in line with the El Nino phenomenon.
It cautioned that El Nino, which has coincided with the south-west monsoon season this year, puts the country at risk of drought, haze and prolonged dry conditions.
“While the situation is still under control, the government is not taking the situation lightly and all related agencies have been ordered to increase their preparedness and perform early mitigation measures,” it said.
Recently, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs Haze Outlook report stated that Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore could face severe transboundary haze, and has called for a red alert.
The alert is only the second such rating issued since 2023.
The report identified August and September as the peak risk period, with the threat compounded by the El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole weather phenomena.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the recent meeting of mentris besar and chief ministers also focused on the country’s preparedness for El Nino, as its effects are expected to impact water supplies, the agricultural sector and food security while also contributing to excessive heat and haze.
