First the floods, then the heat: MetMalaysia warns of challenging months ahead

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — Malaysia may experience hotter and drier weather towards the end of the 2026/2027 North-east Monsoon (MTL), especially from late January to March next year, following expectations of a Super El Niño phenomenon that could lead to reduced rainfall across the country

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) National Weather and Earthquake Operations Centre senior director Maqrun Fadzli Mohd Fahmi said these conditions could increase the risk of heatwaves and droughts, especially if rainfall decreases during that period.

He said the El Niño phenomenon is currently in a strong phase and is expected to intensify to a very strong level or Super El Niño towards the end of this year and into next year.

“With reduced rainfall, hot weather or heatwaves often emerge, along with drought due to water shortages caused by insufficient rainfall,” he said as a guest on Bernama TV’s “Fokus 15” programme today.

However, he said the initial phase of the 2026/2027 MTL, which begins today, is expected to bring three to five episodes of prolonged heavy rainfall, particularly between this November and January 2027.

He said that these conditions could heighten the risk of flooding, particularly in the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, as well as eastern Johor.

“Residents in flood-prone areas should remain vigilant regarding the risk of heavy rain during the early part of the monsoon, while drier conditions towards the end of the monsoon will require preparations for possible hot weather and water shortages,” he said.

Maqrun Fadzli said MetMalaysia monitors weather developments around the clock and will issue heavy rain warnings when necessary to enable relevant agencies and the public to take appropriate precautionary measures.

He advised the public to always refer to latest weather information and warnings from official sources, make early preparations for possible floods and comply with instructions from the authorities, including evacuation orders when necessary.

He also reminded the public to avoid open burning during the dry weather to reduce the risk of localised haze. — Bernama

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吉隆坡，10月27日讯——受超级厄尔尼诺现象的影响，马来西亚在2026/2027年东北季风末期，特别是明年1月下旬至3月期间，可能会经历更加炎热干燥的天气，这可能导致全国降雨量减少。

马来西亚气象局（MetMalaysia）国家天气和地震行动中心高级主任马格伦·法兹利·莫哈末·法米表示，这些情况可能会增加热浪和干旱的风险，尤其是在该时期降雨量减少的情况下。

他表示，厄尔尼诺现象目前处于强势阶段，预计到今年年底和明年将增强到非常强的水平，甚至可能出现超级厄尔尼诺现象。

“由于降雨量减少，往往会出现高温天气或热浪，同时由于降雨不足导致缺水，还会出现干旱，”他今天在马新社电视台的“Fokus 15”节目中作为嘉宾说道。

不过，他表示，从今天开始的 2026/2027 年 MTL 初期阶段预计将带来三到五次持续强降雨，尤其是在今年 11 月至 2027 年 1 月之间。

他表示，这些情况可能会加剧洪水风险，尤其是在东海岸的吉兰丹州、登嘉楼州和彭亨州，以及柔佛州东部地区。

他说：“易涝地区的居民应警惕季风初期强降雨的风险，而季风末期较为干燥的天气则需要做好应对可能出现的高温和缺水情况的准备。”

马格伦·法兹利表示，马来西亚气象局全天候监测天气变化，并在必要时发布暴雨预警，以便相关机构和公众采取适当的预防措施。

他建议公众始终参考官方发布的最新天气信息和预警，尽早做好应对可能发生的洪水的准备，并遵守当局的指示，包括在必要时服从疏散命令。

他还提醒公众，在干燥天气下避免露天焚烧，以减少局部雾霾的风险。——马新社

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