KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — The El Nino phenomenon is expected to become more extreme with an increase in temperature and a reduction in rainfall nationwide this year due to global warming.
Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the high-intensity El Nino will significantly impact the country's weather pattern, especially during the northeast monsoon phase and the season after.
Such a phenomenon occurred from 1997 to 1998 and from 2015 to 2016, and NRECC had prepared much earlier to tackle El Nino, as he had chaired meetings regarding the matter on May 26 and September 12.
"The meetings were held to report on the latest weather conditions, weather surveys, air quality status, action plans and strategies to prevent open burning as well as the haze situation, besides making preparations for the possibility of cross-border haze,” Nik Nazmi said.
He was speaking at the launch of the 2023 National Climate Forum Waspada El Nino Hadapi Monsun Timur Laut via the Malaysia Meteorological Department 's Facebook Live broadcast today.
In addition, several proactive measures have also been implemented, including activating the National Open Burning Action Plan (PTPTK) and strengthening community monitoring through the Pollution Monitoring Team (3P) programme.
On today's forum, Nik Nazmi said it is one of the initiatives to improve communication and public awareness programmes, involving community participation as preventive action.
— Bernama
