Malaysia braces for stronger El Nino, worsening transboundary haze
PUTRAJAYA: The government is bracing for a stronger El Nino and the possibility of a more severe wave of transboundary haze as prolonged hot and dry conditions increase the risk of fires across the region.
Malaysia is preparing for a stronger El Nino and the potential for a more severe transboundary haze crisis, as hot and dry conditions increase the risk of fires across the region. The government is actively addressing the situation, with the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Arthur Joseph Kurup, briefing state governments and other agencies on the implications of El Nino for agriculture, water supply, and reservoirs, as well as the increased risk of open burning and haze.
Malaysia has also raised concerns at the 27th Ministerial Steering Committee and Technical Working Group meetings on transboundary haze pollution in Bali, Indonesia, and participated in the 37th Meeting of the Asean Senior Officials on the Environment, where stronger El Nino conditions and a prolonged dry period were forecasted.
The ministry has planned several measures in response, including sending an official letter to the Asean Secretariat urging countries in the region to intensify efforts and maintain continuous preparedness for a stronger El Nino and possible worsening transboundary haze.
Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
