NEA to test using Wolbachia bacteria-carrying mosquitoes in fight against dengue

The small-scale field study will involve the release of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes at a few selected sites at the end of the year.
Channel NewsAsia 12 Apr 16;

SINGAPORE: Bacteria-carrying mosquitoes will be released at a few selected sites at the end of 2016 in a bid to suppress the Aedes aegypti mosquito population responsible for transmitting the dengue virus, said the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) on Tuesday (April 12).

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has been conducting a feasibility study to fight dengue by deploying male Aedes mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacteria. When they mate with a female, Wolbachia-free Aedes aegypti mosquito, the eggs they produce will not hatch.

NEA said the upcoming small-scale study aims to understand the behaviour of Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes in an urban built-up environment, such as their longevity and flight range. This data collected will support the design of a subsequent suppression trial.

This comes against the backdrop of 6,338 dengue cases reported in the first quarter of 2016, nearly triple the amount reported for the same period in 2015. NEA previously said that the number of dengue cases in 2016 may exceed 30,000, above the record 22,170 reported in 2013.

NO PUBLIC RISK

NEA has assured the public that the male mosquitoes do not bite and hence the release of the Wolbachia-Aedes will not pose any risk of biting or disease transmission.

“We are not embarking on this lightly,” Minister for Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli told Parliament during the Committee of Supply debates on Tuesday. “We have studied this for years and have taken all steps to ensure public health and safety will not be compromised. Our comprehensive risk assessment has concurred with previous findings on the safety of this technology. We will engage residents and stakeholders to provide more information on the technology and the study in due course.”

NEA also appointed a research company in October last year to conduct an independent assessment, due to be completed in July, to identify any potential secondary environmental and social impact that may arise from the implementation of the technology. The review will also identify appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures, to minimise and forewarn of any possible secondary consequences before, during and after implementation, said NEA.

CONTINUING PREVENTION EFFORTS

NEA also noted that in March this year there was a 30 per cent reduction in mosquito population, and an associated reduction in the weekly number of dengue cases. Nonetheless, Mr Masagos said: “The recent decrease in cases does not mean that we are safe. Similar to past years, cases may increase as we enter the traditional dengue season in June.”

Source eradication of mosquito breeding habitats and spraying of insecticides to control the adult mosquito population remains the key to dengue prevention, said NEA.

The agency said it had conducted some 350,000 inspections islandwide this year, as of March 31, and uncovered about 4,200 instances of mosquito breeding habitats. More than 20 Stop Work Orders and 120 Notices to Attend Court have been issued to construction site contractors for mosquito breeding, with over 10 court prosecutions dealt out for repeat offences.

As of March 14, NEA has also extended its enforcement regime to all residences found with mosquito breeding, regardless of whether they are within or outside dengue cluster. From January to March this year, over 470 households were fined for breeding mosquitoes.

- CNA/jo

NEA to deploy bacteria-infected mosquitoes in fight against dengue
SIAU MING EN Today Online 12 Apr 16;

SINGAPORE — Male Aedes mosquitoes infected with a naturally-occurring bacteria that causes dud eggs when they mate will be released at a few selected sites at the end of this year in the first field study in Singapore on this biological control method’s effectiveness in suppressing the mosquito population.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli announced the six-month study on Tuesday (April 12), which aims to get a clearer picture of how these Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes survive in Singapore’s urban built-up environment and their vertical and horizontal flight range in the open environment.

Only male mosquitoes will be released for the study and as they do not bite, there is no risk of biting or disease transmission, said the National Environment Agency in a press release. Wolbachia is a naturally-occurring bacteria found in over 60 per cent of insect species, including butterflies, fruit flies, dragonflies, and certain mosquito species. The bacteria is, however, not found in the dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Speaking during the debate on his ministry’s budget on Tuesday, Mr Masagos said, without disclosing the test locations: “We are not embarking on this lightly. We have studied this for years and have taken all steps to ensure that public health and safety will not be compromised.”

Nevertheless, a research company was appointed to carry out an independent assessment on whether the biological control method will pose any potential secondary environmental and social impact, and how to minimise these consequences. The study will conclude in July this year.

Injecting male Aedes with Wolbachia and releasing them as a way to suppress the species’ population has been around since the 1960s and has been tested in various countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, and Brazil.

When an infected male mates with a female, the eggs do not hatch.

In Singapore, the authorities first announced it was considering the method in June 2014 and have so far conducted feasibility tests in laboratories, but not in the field.

Mr Masagos said his ministry will engage residents and stakeholders to provide more information on the technology and study in due course.

The field study comes in the wake of a warning issued by the authorities in February that Singapore could have a historic high of 30,000 dengue cases this year because of the ongoing El Nino phenomenon, along with a change in the type of dengue virus circulating among Singapore’s population. The previous record was 22,170 dengue cases in 2013.

In the first three months this year, there were 6,338 dengue cases, which is more than double that during the same period last year. Although there was a 30 per cent reduction in mosquito population last month, leading to an associated reduction in the weekly number of dengue cases, Mr Masagos cautioned that Singapore is not in the clear, warning that the number of cases may yet climb during the traditional dengue season in June.

Among other efforts to tackle dengue, the NEA will train 5,000 more Dengue Prevention Volunteers this year, to nearly double the pool of 5,800 such individuals tasked with educating the public on riding breeding sites. The additional volunteers can boost house visit efforts, especially in yellow and red dengue cluster areas. Another 250 temporary officers will also be engaged by the NEA this year to carry out inspections islandwide.

Field study to assess using special mozzies against dengue
Carolyn Khew, The Straits Times AsiaOne 13 Apr 16;

A field study will be conducted at the end of this year to assess if a special type of mosquito can be a weapon against dengue.

The male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes will be released into the environment in the small-scale study to be conducted by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Speaking during the debate on the ministry's budget, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said the Government was not embarking on the study "lightly", and had "studied this for years and taken all steps to ensure that public health and safety will not be compromised".

Only male mosquitoes, which do not bite, will be released.

Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacteria that can be found in over 60 per cent of insect species, but not in dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

When male mosquitoes carrying the bacteria mate with wild female mosquitoes, they produce eggs that do not hatch. This could help to suppress the number of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the long run. The method has been used in the fight against dengue in countries such as Australia and Brazil.

The study will look at the behaviour of these special mosquitoes in the built-up environment, such as how long they can live in the wild and their flight range. The data collected will help in the design of a future trial. Previously, studies were conducted in the laboratory by the Environmental Health Institute under the NEA.

Based on the NEA's assessment so far, the technology poses no or insignificant risk of negative impact on public health or ecology.

The NEA has appointed a research firm to identify any potential secondary environmental and social impact that may arise.

Dengue expert Tikki Pang said each country's situation is unique and "only time will tell" if the technology will work in Singapore.

"Any tool that helps in the battle against dengue should be considered and tested," added the visiting professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

The announcement comes on the back of a sharp rise in the number of dengue cases this year. A total of 6,338 dengue cases were reported between January and March this year, almost three times as many as the 2,251 cases reported in the same period last year.

The authorities have warned that unless immediate action is taken to suppress the Aedes mosquito population, the number of dengue cases this year may exceed 30,000 - higher than the record set in 2013 when 22,170 cases were reported.

Several MPs also asked about the Government's plan to approve the dengue vaccine for use here.

Mr Masagos replied that it has been closely tracking the development of the vaccine. But as the vaccine is new, "we do not know yet whether its quality is what (the manufacturer) promised it to be".

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NEA to tighten enforcement to tackle growing rat population

About 43,000 rat burrows were detected in 2015, about 1,000 more compared to the previous year. Over the two years, 85 per cent were found in housing estates.
Liyana Othman Channel NewsAsia 13 Apr 16;

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) is tightening its enforcement to tackle the growing rat population in the Republic, announced Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor in Parliament on Tuesday (Apr 12).

The measures are part of wider efforts to improve public cleanliness.

About 43,000 rat burrows were detected in 2015, about 1,000 more compared to the previous year. Over the two years, 85 per cent were found in housing estates. Therefore, from July, NEA will step up enforcement for breaches in areas managed by town councils.

Said Dr Khor: "It remains a challenge for town councils in their rodent control efforts due to the many bin chutes and bin centres and numerous food stalls in our housing estates. Ultimately, the key to managing rat infestation is to remove food sources and areas of harbourage.

"Stakeholders have a responsibility to improve the housekeeping of their premises, such as bin centres and refuse chutes, and to deny rats easy access to food sources. And this has to be a consistent and sustained effort by all parties."

In 2015, more than 200 enforcement actions were taken against owners of premises, including Town Councils. To get all stakeholders to work together to coordinate their pest control plans, NEA has also piloted taskforces in four locations - Redhill Close, Bedok Central, Clementi Avenue 3 and Bangkit Road.

These are areas with multiple stakeholders, and actions by one party may simply displace the rats to another location, said Dr Khor.

Besides this, NEA is also encouraging the community to play a bigger role to keep Singapore clean. A Bill was passed earlier this year to expand its Community Volunteer (CV) Programme and empower members of the public to take action against litterbugs.

"Let me clarify that even with the amended legislation, we will only allow the CVs, like before, to use their authority card to request for the particulars of a non-compliant offender, for NEA’s investigations and enforcement. The CV's primary role is to encourage the public to take responsibility for the environment, and they do not issue tickets to offenders," said Dr Khor.

So far, the community volunteers have engaged more than 2,500 potential offenders.

- CNA/ek

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Malaysia: El Nino bearing down on Malaysians

R.S.N. MURALI, RAHIMY RAHIM, LOSHANA K SHAGAR, STEPHANIE LEE, and LOGEISWARY THEVADASS
The Star 13 Apr 16;

PETALING JAYA: More Malaysians are falling sick over the past few months due to the hot and dry weather brought on by the El Nino phenomenon.

Even some of those who recovered after taking medication claimed that they fell sick again in just a matter of days because of the heatwave.

Ann Marshall, 43, said when she felt the first signs of fever, cough and flu two weeks ago, she had gone to the doctor immediately.

“I was diagnosed with bronchitis and this is the first time I am experiencing this. I am also having difficulty breathing.

“I was taking more iced drinks to cool down in the hot weather and the difference between the heat outside and the air-conditioned office environment made things worse,” she said here yesterday.

Marshall, who is a secretary with an aviation company in Damansara, said she had taken a full dose of antibiotics, along with six other medications to recover.

However, she fell sick again within 24 hours of her recovery, but this time she refused to take more medication.

“I’m taking natural supplements which I also find helpful and I’m drinking a lot of water to help with the heat,” she said.

Lawyer Gowri Chandran, 27, was among the increasing number of Malaysians who had shown signs of fever, cough and flu in the past few weeks.

“I was down with fever for more than four days and I’m still coughing,” she said.

The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) said it was prepared to carry out cloud seeding exercises over several northern states, including Perlis, Pahang, Kedah as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

Its director-general Datuk Zaitun Ab Samad said the full details would be determined by a Workgroup Meeting on Tackling the Hot and Dry Weather to be chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim later.

“We have yet to get the full details but I believe we will conduct operations in areas that are facing water shortage,” she said.

She said the cloud seeding operations would be jointly carried out by the air force and the Meteorological Department and coordinated by Nadma following the Cabinet’s approval.

“It is not a full blown crisis but we are prepared to carry it out in certain areas.

“Many states still have enough water in their dams,” she said.

As at 4.30pm yesterday, the levels at Bukit Merah, Perak, and Bukit Kwong, Kelantan, recorded below the 50% storage level.

Water rationing for Perlis if no rainfall in next four days
MELISSA DARLYNE CHOW New Straits Times 12 Apr 16;

KANGAR: Perlis is not ruling out the possibility of carrying out water rationing in the state, should there not be rainfall over the next four days.

Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man ‎said the move may be necessary if the water level at Timah Tasoh Dam drops further to 26.2 metres.

The water level at the dam presently stands at 26.29 metres, and based on the current temperature, the dam is losing about 0.02 metres daily.

"Based on the current situation, if rain still does not fall in the next four days, we will have to carry out water rationing.

"Further details such as the areas which will be affected will be discussed with the National Security Council," he told reporters on the sidelines of the state assembly sitting today.

He expressed hope there would be rainfall, based on the cloud seeding exercise to be undertaken for a week starting today.

Water trickles in for Banggi folk
The Star 13 Apr 16;

KOTA KINABALU: Pulau Banggi remains dry as critical water supplies trickled into Malaysia’s largest island.

In a ceremony yesterday, Banggi assemblyman Datuk Abdul Mijul Unaini distributed bottled water to islanders who have been begging for help for the last two weeks.

Some 1,300 boxes of bottled water were sent in on Monday while 30,000 litres of potable treated water were brought in by the state Water Department by boat for hospitals and other critically affected areas.

The treated water is also currently being pumped into water tanks at the Karakit Banggis main settlement.

However, the move to have a special ceremony was criticised by state minister Datuk Masidi Manjun in a tweet, who urged the local assemblyman not to waste time with ceremonies.

“YBs are elected to serve the people, especially their constituents unconditionally. Unnecessary protocol and ceremonies should be set aside”, he said.

Mijul when contacted said there was no ceremony but a briefing to all the chairmen of the village security and development committees on how the bottled water should be distributed.

“We don’t want any problems, why should there be any ceremony? This is a dry spell and we want to give help as soon as possible,” he said.

He said they were focusing on giving water to villagers in Kampung Singgahmata, Kampung Perpaduan Karakit, Kampung Log Tohog and Kampung Kobong as well as the hospital and some schools first.

Although villagers across Banggi said that their traditional water sources from wells and streams had dried up, assistant district officer for Banggi Awang Shahrin Awang Bakar said only 75% of the 25,000 population were seriously affected by the dry spell.

“Water supply will also be given to those less affected if there is extra,” he said.

Since last weekend, most areas in Sabah, including northern Kudat and Pitas, experienced heavy rain that brought some relief to the three-month dry spell.

Cloud seeding underway in the north
The Star 13 Apr 16;

GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Meteorolo­gical Department has started cloud seeding in the peninsula’s northern region.

A department spokesman said the operation began yesterday, with a plane taking off from the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, as the team from the department was based there.

“The operation will go on for a week and cover four northern states, namely Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis. It will focus mainly on areas with agricultural activities.

“The most suitable time to conduct cloud seeding is between noon and 3pm, but it also depends on the atmosphere and the presence of suitable clouds,” she said.

Those staying in the northern region have been putting up with the heatwave for a month.

They are hoping for the seasonal heavy rains to come soon and provide some cool respite.


Cloud seeding exercise to start today in Perlis, Pahang & Kedah
FAZLEENA AZIZ New Straits Times 12 Apr 16;

PUTRAJAYA: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will be carrying out large scale cloud seeding exercises in Perlis, Pahang and Kedah starting today onwards.

Nadma director-general Datuk Zaitun Ab Samah said details of the exercise would be determined following the Workgroup Meeting on Tackling the Hot and Dry Weather chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim today.

She said the Cabinet had approved the exercise by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) following the increase in hot temperatures.

“Prior to this the cloud seeding exercise was carried out by National Security Council (NSC), now it will come under Nadma, who will determine based on the necessity and frequency.

“So far, the Meteorological Department has carried out smaller scale cloud seeding exercise through private companies in several areas.

“The cost of each cloud seeding exercise is about RM80,000, and this will be borne by Nadma,” she said, adding the budget for the total exercise would be determined later.

Schools in Temerloh and Jerantut to reopen tomorrow as heat wave abates
T.N.ALAGESH New Straits Times 12 Apr 16;

KUANTAN: All 155 schools in Temerloh and Jerantut will reopen tomorrow as temperatures recorded over the past 24-hours were below 36 degrees celsius in the affected areas.

State Education director Datuk Rosdi Ismail said the 117 primary schools and 38 secondary schools in the two districts would resume classes after being closed for two days.

He said the school’s administration had been reminded to take precautionary measures including cancelling all outdoor activities until further notice.

"Lessons will continue normally in classrooms but outdoor activities are still suspended.

We will monitor the situation," he said.

On Monday, the Education Ministry ordered all schools in the two districts to be closed for a day after temperature readings exceeded 37 degrees celsius due to the El Nino phenomenon.

The department ordered the schools to remain close today due to continuous extreme hot weather.

There are 50,492 students in Temerloh and Jerantut.

Construction worker in Langkawi suffers heat cramps due to heat wave
MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING New Straits Times 13 Apr 16;

ALOR STAR: A Thai national who was working at a construction site in Langkawi fainted due to heatstroke after working for about four hours under the scorching sun yesterday.

State Health director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail who confirmed the incident said that the 46-year-old is currently still receiving treatment at the Langkawi Hospital. ‎

"It was learnt that the man had been working continuously under the scorching heat at a construction site in Langkawi for about four hours when the incident took place.

"During the 3pm incident, his colleague noticed that he experienced muscle cramps on both his hands and rushed him to the Langkawi Hospital. "He however became unconscious as soon as they arrived and was immediately given treatment by the hospital's Emergency Unit.

During that time his body temperature rose to 42 degrees Celsius," he said.

According to Dr Norhizan, the worker's body temperature reduced to 39.7 degree Celsius after about an hour.

"With the recent incident in Langkawi, there are so far a total of 18 heatwave-related cases reported in the state. The first incident took place on March 2.

"From the total 18 cases, three of the cases involved heat cramps, 14 cases involved heat exhaustion and one heatstroke.

"Among the victims, seven were students, which include one case that took place in school with the other seven outside school hours.

"Two of the cases reported also involved children aged three and five, one case involved an 81-year-old senior citizen and the remaining eight cases involved those between 20 and 51," he said.

Dr Norhizan also said that six of the victims were warded while 12 only received outpatient treatment.

Dr Norhizan advised the public to follow the health tips given by the state Health Department in order to prevent any health issues due to the heatwave, which can lead to death, should they delay in seeking medical attention.

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Malaysia: Selangor coastal erosion cause for concern

EDWARD RAJENDRA The Star 13 Apr 16;

COASTAL erosion along several areas of Selangor’s 291km coastline is a cause for concern for the local authorities.

Winds and waves, which are the major forces in changing the state’s coastline, have led to the shorelines being eaten up and labelled as “critical stretches”.

Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) acting director Nor Zamri Sondor said the changing coastline, which is caused by wind and waves, washes off one area and builds up in another.

“Winds and movement of the waves causes non-stop sand movement and hard structures like sea walls and even large stones are placed to curb shoreline erosion.

“Most of the time, we suggest natural approaches such replanting mangrove saplings. As the waves roll up to the shore, they pick up sand from the ocean floor and when the waves hit the shore, they deposit the sand.

“Over and over sand is moved but with mangrove trees, it helps to a certain extent to hold the sand and curb the impact of erosion,” he said.

Five districts in Selangor with a coastline are Sabak Bernam (60km), Kuala Selangor (60km), Klang (76km), Kuala Langat (80km) and Sepang (15km).

LUAS coastal management engineer Norfaezah Shamsuddin said sand that rolls up in the waves washes up in a gradual pattern from one area and accumulates further down the coast.

“Several stretches along Selangor’s coast in critical condition are Pantai Bagan Nakhoda Omar in Sabak Bernam, Pantai Bagan Lalang in Sepang, Batu Laut in Kuala Langat and Pantai Remis in Kuala Selangor.

“Various anti-erosion methods have been adopted. The Drainage and Irrigation Department is working with local authorities dredging sand for use in coastal reclamation to create a beach,” she said.

Agriculture, aquaculture and industries in the coastal mangrove areas have also contributed to the increase in waves crashing onto man-made bunds, at times breaching them. Newer bunds are then built landward.

Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) president Noraini Roslan said construction of buildings too close to the coastline could not be allowed as it would contribute to the erosion.

“Hard structures, depending on their size and activities, affect the coastal area differently.

“MDKS does get proposals to build budget hotels and seafood restaurants along the coast but our concern is the soft-sediment coasts which are most vulnerable to erosion,” she said.

Noraini added that the council had been rehabilitating Pantai Remis in the Sungai Sembilang area by planting mangrove saplings, placing rocks along the beaches and improving drainage.

“Pantai Remis is a hotspot for tourists and we began rehabilitation works in 2014. It will be completed in 2018 under three phases.

“The first phase was from 2013 to 2014 involving the construction of stalls to rehouse traders away from the eroding coastline.

“We also built two volleyball courts to encourage beach sports,” she said.

In the second phase from 2015 to 2016, a 500m sea wall was built to stop further erosion on Pantai Remis.

Noraini added that the council had deliberated extensively on how best to protect the coastline and had chosen the use of sea walls, mangrove planting as well as enrichment with sand and rocks.

“MDKS has allocated RM1.5mil while the district Drainage and Irrigation Department received a RM6mil allocation to fill the eroded coastline.

“For more effective measures to protect the coastline, we will need an additional budget of RM3mil to RM5mil,” she said.

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Monsoon forecast offers cheer to India's farmers

Key agricultural states are facing a crippling shortage of rainfall that has hurt the farming sector and forced the rationing of drinking water to some communities.
Channel NewsAsia 12 Apr 16;

NEW DELHI: India's meteorological department on Tuesday (Apr 12) said it forecast an above-average monsoon this year, offering hope for farmers at a time when several regions are facing severe drought.

Key agricultural states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka are facing a crippling shortage of rainfall that has hurt the farming sector and forced the rationing of drinking water to some communities.

"The rainfall over the country as a whole for the southwest monsoon 2016 is likely to be above normal," Laxman Singh Rathore, director general of the India Meteorological Department, told reporters in New Delhi.

The southwest monsoon refers to India's four-month-long monsoon season, which starts in June. In addition to the country-wide forecast, the meteorological department said that some of the worst-affected regions could also expect sufficient rains.

"These areas too will get good rainfall," Rathore said. "In all it's good news, that monsoon 2016 will be good."

Earlier on Tuesday the city of Latur in Maharashtra, one of the worst drought-hit regions in the country, received a supply of drinking water brought by a special train.

"Train with drinking water arrives at drought affected Latur early this morning. Distribution to begin soon," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Twitter.

India's agriculture sector, which employs about 60 percent of the population but contributes only around 15 per cent of the country's gross domestic product, is largely monsoon-reliant.

Announcing its annual budget in February the government promised to spend billions of dollars to double the income of struggling farmers and boost the rural economy.

- AFP/yt

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Sea-level rise factors unravelled

Myles Gough BBC 13 Apr 16;

Global sea-level rise since the 1970s has been predominantly driven by greenhouse gas emissions and not natural climate variability, a study suggests.

Over the last 100 years, sea levels have been rising much faster than over previous millennia.

Now, scientists have modelled the cumulative forces driving observed sea-level rise in the modern era.

Details of the work are published in Nature Climate Change.

"The influence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosols - the human component, due to the burning of fossil fuels principally - is small in the beginning of the 20th century, only about 15%," says Dr John Church, a sea-level rise expert at CSIRO, the Australian federal research agency.

"But after 1970 it's the dominant factor, contributing to about 70% of the rise from 1970 up to present day."

"Natural internal climate variability, while it affects sea-level on short periods, has very little impact on the trend during the 20th century."

The findings illustrate the extent to which humans have influenced sea-level rise over the last 115 years, and raise concerns about future sea-level and climate change scenarios.

As the Earth's climate continues to warm, the rate of sea-level rise is expected to accelerate, increasing the risk of coastal flooding.

"There are thresholds we could well cross during the 21st century, which would lead to multi-metre sea-level rise unless there is urgent and significant mitigation," said Dr Church.

If we can stay below a global temperature increase of 2C, Dr Church says the rate of sea-level rise could stabilise, and potentially decrease by the end of the 21st century.

Either way, he says it's imperative that governments begin planning for coastal adaptation, either protecting infrastructure and communities or withdrawing, as some sea-level rise is unavoidable.

Modelling the rise

Using climate model simulations from the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, the CSIRO-led team calculated the main drivers of sea-level rise: glacial and ice sheet melting, and ocean thermal expansion. This is when warmer ocean temperatures cause the volume of water to expand.

The team then applied these calculations to the following individual forces, which contribute to sea-level rise: GHGs, aerosol pollutants in the atmosphere, natural climate variability (such as El Niño and Pacific Decadal Oscillation systems), historical climate responses, variable solar radiation levels, and volcanic eruptions.

After putting them together, and comparing the contributions to observed sea-level rise during the 20th century, the team was able to paint a comprehensive picture of which forces had the biggest impact over that period.

From 1900 to 1950, the biggest factor contributing to sea-level rise was a natural climate response following the Little Ice Age - a period between 1300 and 1870 when the northern hemisphere endured significantly colder winters.

Human influence began increasing around 1950, and became the dominant force after 1970, due to the cumulative effect of greenhouse gases, said Dr Church.

Prof Matthew England, deputy director of the Climate Change Research Centre at UNSW Australia, says the latest findings are "very consistent with what we've long suspected" about the influence of human activities on sea-level rise.

It's consistent with that we know about "how temperatures have warmed globally, and how ice over the land masses of Antarctica and Greenland, have melted over time," he says. "But it's really important to go and do the detailed analysis."

"We can't adapt blind," he says. "We need to understand sea-level rise, how quickly it will change in the future, how it will vary around the coast."

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Dengue cases dip to 292 after spike in previous week

The number of new dengue cases in Singapore dipped to 292 in the week ending Apr 9, 85 cases fewer than in the previous week, according to latest figures published on the National Environment Agency (NEA) website.
Channel NewsAsia 12 Apr 16;

SINGAPORE: The number of new dengue cases in Singapore dipped to 292 in the week ending Apr 9, 85 cases fewer than in the previous week, according to latest figures published on the National Environment Agency (NEA) website.

Another 25 cases were reported between Apr 10 and 3.30pm on Apr 11.

A total of 6,630 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore since the start of the year. Four people have died of the disease so far – a 47-year-old man who lived in Marsiling Rise, a 67-year-old man who lived in Toa Payoh, a 63-year-old woman who lived in Bedok and a 73-year-old woman who lived in Hougang.

“Although the number of weekly reported dengue cases is lower than that for some of the past weeks, it is still high for this time of the year,” the NEA said in an advisory on its website. “The majority of mosquito breeding is still being found in homes, such as in domestic containers, flower pot plates and trays.”

The Ministry of Health and NEA have warned that the number of dengue cases in Singapore may exceed 30,000 this year, higher than the record of 22,170 reported in 2013.

This is due to factors such as warmer conditions brought about by the El Nino weather phenomenon, faster breeding and maturation cycles of the Aedes mosquito population and a change in the main circulating dengue virus, said both agencies at a joint media briefing.

The biggest cluster of dengue cases is now located in Elias Road, together with Pasir Ris View, Riverina View and Riverina Walk. A total of 73 cases have been reported in the area, including 24 in the past fortnight.

The area around Bowmont Gardens, together with Jedburgh Gardens, Wilton Gardens and Siglap Rise has similarly seen 73 cases reported in the area, including two in the past fortnight.

- CNA/dl

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Malaysia: Perhentian’s beauty tar-nished

FIRDAOS FADZIL The Star 12 Apr 16;

PETALING JAYA: Close to a tonne of sticky, black gobs of tar have been collected from the beaches in Perhentian Besar Island since Friday after they washed up along the shores of the island.

Resort operator Hwang Pei See, who helped clean up the beaches together with her staff and guests, said the appearance of the gobs was now an annual occurrence at this time of the year and she was deeply concerned with the pollution.

“At the moment it doesn’t affect our business but if the condition worsens, the coral reefs will be affected.

“This will affect our business and the country’s tourism image will suffer,” she told The Star yesterday.

“We have been cleaning up for the past four days. The first two days were bad but I’m glad that apart from the volunteers, guests also helped clean up the beach,” she said.

Fuze Ecoteer-Perhentian Commu­nity and Conservation Project mana­ger Ainn Haris said a total of 936kg of tar was manually collected in garbage bags.

“We are expecting to see an oil slick because we were told by boatmen who take divers on diving trips around the island that said they saw patches of oil slick,” Ainn said.

Ainn said every year, oil from the open sea would be washed up on the beaches of Perhentian Besar Island before reaching Perhentian Kecil, which is hidden behind the bigger island.

“The Marine Park Department and the Fishery Department are aware of this issue but they are not doing much since it has been like this for the past few years,” said Ainn.

Volunteer and PhD student Loh Seng Ling said she hoped that this issue would get the attention of the authorities so they could launch investigations.

Last year, The Star reported that clumps of tar balls were found on the shores of Perhentian Island.

Similar tar balls were also found on the beaches of Lang Tengah Island, which is located near Perhentian Island.

The volunteers have to do the cleaning up before the sun rises to avoid having the tar melt into the sand, which would make their job harder.

Considered one of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the world, Pulau Perhentian is home to an abundance of marine life.

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Malaysia: Current hot season puts the heat on durian supply

The Star 12 Apr 16;

GEORGE TOWN: Even durians have taken a hit from the heat. Durian lovers will be disappointed to learn that the supply of the King of Fruits is expected to drop by up to 40% due to the hot weather.

Bao Sheng Durian Farm owner Chang Zhi Vooi said the prolonged heatwave had badly affected the durian trees.

“Due to the hot weather, the trees are not getting enough water and we have to water them everyday.

“There are seven water pipes to ‘shower’ the trees every four hours,” he said yesterday.

Chang, a third-generation farmer, said many unripe fruits had dropped off.

However, he pointed out that the durian season this year could be longer as new flowers were still blooming.

“This year, we can expect durians from May until the end of July.

“However, it will be a smaller harvest compared to last year. A tree can produce more than 200 fruits, but this year, we may get only about 100 plus,” he said.

Green Acre Sustainable Farm owner Eric Chong said the supply in his orchard was expected to drop by between 25% and 30%.

“One of my Little Red durian trees is also dying as the fruits are absorbing the nutrients from the tree, thus leaving it without the necessary minerals to survive,” he said.

Chong is hoping for rain to come soon.

Meanwhile, Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa has reminded Penangites to continue conserving water and use it wisely.

“The capacity at the Air Itam Dam stands at 61%, which can last for 60 days,” he said.


First durian harvest in May
JOLYNN FRANCIS The Star 19 Apr 16;

BALIK PULAU: Durian lovers can expect to sink their teeth into the first batch of the D604 and Kunpoh Angbak from May 1 onwards.

Bao Sheng Durian Farm owner Chang Teik Seng said these would be followed by the Lipan, D600, Kapri, Little Red, D11, Horlor, Green Skin, Green Skin Ang Bak, Kunjit, Lim Fong Jiao, and Mausan.

“All of the above will be available from May, with some spilling over to June and July.

“In June, the Black Thorn, D99, Bak Eu, D15 and Ganjau will be available while the Red Prawn will only make its appearance from July 10 onwards,” he said here yesterday.

Although Chang is struggling with the dry weather and experiencing a drop of about 40% in harvest, he said his durian trees were coping well – thanks to the organic farming methods he had adopted about 20 years ago.

“By practising organic farming, my durian trees live and last longer, and are not badly affected by any changes in the weather.

Quality harvest: Chang and his son Zi Vooi admiring the fruits of his orchard in Balik Pulau.
Quality harvest: Chang and his son Zi Vooi admiring the fruits of his orchard in Balik Pulau,

“They are also not attacked by diseases so easily. The worms and bugs in the organic soil also help keep it moist.

“The grass, which is free of pesticides, can add moisture to the soil.

“If it is too hot, the flowers will dry up but if there is too much water, the flowers will keep growing. However, they will eventually drop on their own as it is too wet,” Chang added.

He noted that it would be ideal for the trees if it rained for half an hour each week.

“If it rains too many times or doesn’t rain at all in a week, it’s bad.

“If the rain is heavy, 10 minutes will be enough,” he said.

He added that even though the quantity of the harvest might be down due to the dry weather, the quality would be good.

“This year, the durians will taste better. The trees are not producing new leaves, so all the nutrients will go to the fruits,” Chang said.

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Malaysia: Impact of the heatwave

Cloud-seeding to begin for northern states
The Star 11 Apr 16;

KANGAR: The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) will carry out cloud-seeding operation in the northern states of the peninsula starting Tuesday.

According to MetMalaysia source, the operation will take place over a certain period of time, which has yet to be finalised.

"Now seems to be the most suitable time to conduct the cloud-seeding operation in the northern states, especially between noon and 3pm, but it all depends on the atmosphere and the presence of suitable clouds," he told Bernama here Monday.

He said the operation, which would begin in Bayan Lepas, would cover the northern states in the peninsula, namely Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis.

In BAGAN SERAI, Perak Public Amenities, Infrastructure, Energy and Water Committee chairman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin said the level of water supply at the Bukit Merah Dam had declined to 6.6m from the normal level of 8.68m due to the El-Nino phenomenon.

"If the situation persists, the dam will not be able to supply sufficient water to 4,697 hectares of padi fields in Selinsing and Semanggol, hence delaying the padi planting activity in the two districts," he told reporters after visiting the dam here.

He said the two districts should have received the water supply on Sunday, but the release of the water was rescheduled to April 20.

In KUANTAN, seven cases of heat exhaustion and one heat stroke case were reported in Pahang.

State health director Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the heat exhaustion cases were reported in Kuantan (three cases), Bentong (two), Bera (one) and Temerloh (one), while the heat stroke case was reported in Temerloh.

"All cases were due to the extreme hot weather condition and involved only adults," he told reporters after launching the state-level massive anti-aedes breeding operation here. - Bernama

Heatwave: Jerantut, Temerloh schools to close for another day
The Star 11 Apr 16;

KUANTAN: All schools in Jerantut and Temerloh will be closed for another day tomorrow (Tuesday) due to the extreme hot weather, said Pahang education director Datuk Rosdi Ismail.

He said the closure was decided as the temperature in the two districts was still high with Jerantut recording 38.5°C, and Temerloh, 37.8°C

"However, school staff and teachers will have to come to work as usual because this break is only for students," he said when contacted by Bernama on Monday.

On Sunday, the Education Ministry announced that all schools in Perlis, and Jerantut and Temerloh in Pahang would be closed Monday due to the hot, dry weather brought on by the El Nino phenomenon.

The Education Ministry was quoted as saying that the school closure was in consideration of students' health as the temperatures recorded in the affected areas exceeded 37°C for more than 72 hours. - Bernama

El Nino: 50,492 students affected in Pahang
BERNAMA New Straits Times 11 Apr 16;

KUANTAN: The directive to close schools due to the hot weather in the districts of Temerloh and Jerantut today involved 50,492 students, said State Education Department director Datuk Rosdi Ismail.

He said 155 schools comprising 38 secondary schools and 117 primary schools were ordered closed.

“A total of 13,476 secondary school students and 18,401 primary school pupils are affected in Temerloh.

“In Jerantut, affected are 7,401 students from secondary schools and 11,214 from primary schools,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Yesterday, the Education Ministry via a media statement, ordered all schools in the two districts to be closed for a day after the temperature readings in the two areas exceeded 37 degrees Celcius due to the El Nino phenomenon.

Also ordered closed were schools in Perlis which had been closed thrice since the country was hit by the hot and dry weather a few months ago.

However, the directive to close only involve the absence of the students as a health measure and the school days missed do not have to be replaced.

Meanwhile, the administrative operations of the schools such as meetings, planning of teaching and learning activities and other routine tasks, which do not involve students, go on as usual. -- BERNAMA

Bottled water finally reaches Pulau Banggi
The Star 12 Apr 16;

KOTA KINABALU: The first shipment of bottled water reached the parched northern Pulau Banggi yesterday night but islanders will only get it today.

Assistant district officer for Banggi Awang Shahrin Awang Bakar said the 1,300 crates of bottled water would be distributed after a handing over ceremony by Banggi state assemblyman Datuk Abdul Mijul Unaini.

He told The Star when contacted yesterday that the bottled water was sourced from Kota Kinabalu and transported by lorry and reached Kudat this morning.

The bottles will be distributed to the hospital and islanders at three villages first.

“We have another shipment of 1,700 cartons after the first batch.”

Kudat district officer Sapdin Ibrahim said they appreciated any contributions from NGOs.

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Malaysia: Rains help douse Sabah forest fires

MUGUNTAN VANAR The Star 12 Apr 16;

KOTA KINABALU: After burning for weeks, the fires in the Binsuluk Forest Reserve and the Trusmadi Forest Reserve have finally been put out, thanks to the annual inter-monsoon rains.

The rains – though far less than in previous years – over the weekend put out the fires at the two forest reserves in Beaufort and interior Keningau, lifting the haze that had been plaguing the areas.

However, more rain is needed to bring back the traditional water sources from wells and streams.

“Most areas in Sabah have received rains with the setting in of the inter-monsoon over the weekend. We expect rains to continue until the end of this week,” said Sabah Meteorological acting director Lim Ze Hui in an interview.

However, he warned that the El Nino was still an influencing factor over the amount of rain that the state would receive in the coming days.

“The El Nino is at its weakening stage but it will be the cause of less rainfall in April and May until its impact is neutralised in June,” he said, adding that isolated rains and scattered thunderstorms could be expected within the week in all areas of Sabah and Labuan.

At the peat swamp fire in Binsuluk Forest Reserve, the firemen finally wound down their operations on Sunday.

The fire, which had been burning since March 29, destroyed nearly 70% of the 12,000ha swamp forest reserve.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department deputy director Khairul Azuwan Ibrahim said most of the blaze had been put out but local teams would keep a close eye on any remaining underground fires.

The fire in the Trumadi forest reserve area, which started about a week ago, has already been doused by the rains although mopping-up operations will continue with the Forestry Department personnel.

“Aerial surveys to check over the forest area are also being carried out,” Khairul said.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin visited interior Keningau to assess the damage, which saw large tracts of vegetable farms, orchards and oil palm plantations destroyed by fires or due to the lack of water.

Yahya said the state government was currently assessing the damage and would take the necessary steps to help the farmers.

2,940 Forest, Bush Fire Outbreaks Recorded In 10 Days
Bernama 11 Apr 16

MARANG, April 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) recorded 2,940 forest and bush fire outbreaks in the first 10 days of this month.

Its director-general, Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said the number showed an increase over the same period last year and he did not dismiss the El Nino phenomenon as a cause, besides human factors such as carrying out open burning.

"Last year, 1,708 forest and bush fires were recorded in a month, but within 10 days (in April, this year), the number reached almost 3,000, which is rather high.

"In March alone, 8,914 cases were reported nationwide," he said after the launching of the Emergency Response Team (ERT), here, Monday.

According to him, within the 10 days, Sabah recorded the highest number of cases at 457, followed by Johor (380), Perak (353) and Kedah (255).

He said in 2014, there was a decline in the number of cases and most of the forest fire outbreaks only occurred around February until March.

"We find there is on-going lack of public awareness as open burning still occurs and some do it to open up land for agriculture and other purposes," he said.

Wan Mohd Nor said JBPM encouraged premises owners, industries and hotels to set up the ERT to provide quick early response to fire outbreaks and other emergency situations.

"If before this, the ERT was only established at the premises already determined such as big industrial plants and hotels with 50 rooms and above, now this is encouraged at other premises," he said.

To date, 1,900 such premises out of 7,30O nationwide have established their own ERT.

Wan Mohd Nor said there was also the need for industrial plants to instal an automatic fire communication system link with the fire stations for quick action in case of a fire outbreak.

He said losses incurred due to fire outbreaks last year amounted to RM4.4 billion, with almost 70 per cent of the cases involving factories.

Meanwhile, Pahang JBPM director, Datuk Abd Wahab Mat Yasin said he expected the forest fire near Sungai Ular, Kuantan to be completely put out in another two days.

He said fire on about 100 acres of the forest area had been doused while the fire-fighting operation was still on at another 70 acres.

The fire that broke out last Thursday had spread to the centre of the forest, causing difficulties to the firemen to put out the fire.

The operation is being assisted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) through aerial spraying of water using its Bombardier CL 415 MP.

Although the investigation into the cause of the fire is on-going, Abd Wabab did not dismiss the possibility of a thrown cigarette butt as the cause.

-- BERNAMA

MetMalaysia: Inter-monsoon season is starting
The Star 12 Apr 16;

PETALING JAYA: Seasonal heavy rains are falling but the sweltering heat which forced school closures for a day in parts of the peninsula is set to continue for now, said the Malay­sian Meteorological Department.

A MetMalaysia officer said the inter-monsoon season had set in last week with west coast states expe­riencing heavy rainfall in the past few days.

“But it did not help to lower the high temperature readings over northern and central peninsula and Sabah,” he told The Star.

Schools in Perlis, as well as the Jerantut and Temerloh districts in Pahang closed yesterday as temperatures there exceeded 37°C over a 72-hour period.

The closure announced by the Education Ministry was a precautionary measure to safeguard the health of pre-school, primary and secondary pupils in the affected areas.

MetMalaysia said that the public could expect more frequent rain with thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening, especially the west coast states, west Sabah and Sa­­ra­wak as the inter-monsoon progress­ed.

“As for Klang Valley, afternoon thunderstorm is expected in the next few days,” he added.

The highest temperatures yesterday (as of 1pm) were recorded Chu­ping, Perlis (36°C) along with Kuantan and Alor Setar (35°C).

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