Hot weather to last until March - Meteorological Department

Che Gayah told Bernama the El Nino phenomenon is also the reason why there was no occurrence of major floods in the country despite the heavy rains recently.

She said the monsoon activities bringing cold surges from China and Siberia have lessened the humidity of December and this has resulted in reduced rainfall in the country.

“The condition results in a drop in rainfall of between 20 and 60 per cent for most areas in the country rendering the weather hot and dry with temperatures rising by 0.5 to 2.0 degree Celsius," she told Bernama today.

The Meteorological Department had earlier forecast that Perlis and Kedah would be the most hit states in the peninsula by the El Nino phenomenon.

The Perlis government said it may resort to water rationing if the drought the state is experiencing due to the El-Nino phenomenon becomes prolonged.

The Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) had also urged Penangites to reduce water consumption following the dry spell brought about by the El Nino phenomenon.

Its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said PBAPP had activated its water supply alert status in view of the Meteorological Department's warning of a possible hot and dry 'Super El Nino phenomenon'.

He said if necessary, PBAPP is prepared to implement water supply and water demand management initiatives to avoid water rationing.

Meanwhile, The Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER) had earlier called on the government to reactivate the National Committee To Tackle El Nino.

AWER president S. Piarapakaran said this is to monitor and make an early preparation to face El Nino which is taking place in the country.