KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should begin preparations for the expected Super El Niño later this year, with experts warning that early action will help minimise its impact on public health, water resources, agriculture and the economy, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said that forecasts indicating the country could experience a Super El Niño from around November, with conditions expected to peak between November and January, should be treated as a serious warning rather than a cause for alarm.
"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 Niño 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," he said when contacted on Sunday (July 19).
Lee said that vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, young children, outdoor workers and individuals with chronic illnesses, were likely to face increased risks of heat-related illnesses such as heat stress and dehydration.
"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.
He also urged authorities to step up monitoring and enforcement against open burning and forest or peatland fires while ensuring emergency response teams are ready to respond swiftly.
Public health preparedness should be enhanced, Lee said, through timely heat advisories, the establishment of cooling centres where necessary, and public education 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 added.
He also stressed the need to ensure a stable electricity supply as demand for cooling is expected to rise during extended periods of high temperatures.
"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 lamented.
