Appearance of El Nino set to spark drier weather in Malaysia

Martin Carvalho The Star 13 Aug 12;

PETALING JAYA: With the world weather experts warning of the start of the El Nino phenomenon over the Pacific Ocean, authorities here are bracing for the possibility of Malaysia experiencing drier conditions in the coming months.

The unpredictable changes in weather patterns and rainfall due to the phenomenon were responsible for dams, rivers and canals drying up in Johor and the northern states of the penin- sula as well as Sabah two years ago.

It was linked to the haze which enveloped the country in 1997-1998 due to the dry and hot spell.

The phenomenon was also said to have been the cause of the massive flooding in the southern peninsula in 2006 and 2007.

The Metrological Department’s weather forecast centre director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said weather models have indicated the start of the El Nino phenome- non between August and September.

“The weather models show the start of a weak El Nino which is expected to begin within the next two months. Overall, the presence of a weak El Nino is expected to have minimal impact on rainfall here,” he said in an interview.

However, he noted the warming of the Pacific Ocean during the phenomenon would last between nine to 18 months. And depending on the severity of conditions, the warming could result in unusual rainfall patterns affecting certain parts of the world.