‘People in Sarawak are advised to be on alert for hotter and drier weather with the onset of El Niño.’
KUCHING: The Sarawak Meteorological Department has advised the public to prepare for the El Niño phenomenon, warning that hotter and drier conditions are expected to affect the state from the end of this month.
In an advisory posted on its official website, the department, which is the Sarawak branch of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), said the effects of El Niño are expected to intensify from July and could persist until early next year.
“People in Sarawak are advised to be on alert for hotter and drier weather with the onset of El Niño.
“The phenomenon is expected to intensify over Sarawak starting in July.
“The full effects may last until early next year and could cause the state to experience significantly hotter and drier conditions compared with the present,” the department said.
It added that forecasts and data from MetMalaysia headquarters in Kuala Lumpur indicated that Sarawak would be affected by the climate phenomenon.
On June 8, Sarawak experienced another heatwave episode, with temperatures exceeding 35°C in four districts, Sibu and Kapit in central Sarawak, as well as Marudi and Lawas in the northern region.
According to MetMalaysia’s daily temperature report, the four districts were placed under a Level One heat alert.
“The districts recorded daily temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C for three consecutive days,” the department said.
The state was also placed on heatwave alert on May 22 following a spike in temperatures across several districts.
The department stated that rainfall levels have been declining in many parts of central and northern Sarawak.
The June 8 alert marked the third heatwave warning issued for Sarawak in less than two months.
