Remember when El Nino hit Malaysia and we begged for more rain? Well, we take that back.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau stated that the La Nina phenomenon will hit the nation in early November and it is expected to last up to 12 months.
“The La Nina phenomenon (with 75% probability) is expected to occur after October. It typically extends from 9 to 12 months. However, it is still early to predict its intensity as this can only be confirmed after October,” Wilfred said to the NST.
The minister also added that the wet weather could shorten the period of the Northeast monsoon and reduce the country’s temperature by 0.5°C to 2°C. Rainfall will increase in Sabah and the eastern part of Sarawak, particularly during the monsoon season.
We don’t know which is worse: cool and wet weather or hot and dry days.
Besides that, the expected rainfalls at the end of the year will most likely see an increase in dengue cases as heavy rainfalls increase water accumulation in places that holds water such as tree holes, leaves, bottles, flower pots, and sewers.
But not to worry, because according to Health director-general Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, the health ministry has been taking preventive measures to destroy Aedes breeding grounds in the country since April, particularly in the Klang Valley. He also added that the public should be more aware of their home environment to make sure there are no breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
“Spend just 10 minutes to search and destroy Aedes breeding grounds and place abate to kill mosquito larvae in water containers or flower vases,” Abdullah told Bernama.
Malaysia has been under the dry and hot spell since last March and it was expected to last until September this year. The scorching hot weather has caused schools to be temporarily closed, dried out water reserves, and spiked snake bite cases.
But the La Nina effect took over the country last month and people are now living in fear of flash floods and thunderstorms.
Sources: NST, Free Malaysia Today.
