Selangor hits 34°C in Super El-Nino heat but no drought yet, says exco

SHAH ALAM – Temperatures in Selangor have climbed to 34 degrees Celsius amid the Super El-Nino phenomenon, but the heat has yet to trigger drought or a water supply crisis in the state.

Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the situation is expected to persist until March next year, in line with forecasts by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

Despite the unusually hot weather in recent days, he said water levels at the state's main dams remain under control.

"The hot weather in Selangor now has not reached drought level. I advise Selangor residents to reduce outdoor activities and drink plenty of water.

"This is to avoid heat stroke. I hope all Selangor residents face the current weather with patience," he told reporters at the lobby of the Selangor State Assembly here today. (Quotes translated from Malay.)

Cloud seeding not required

Asked whether the state government might request cloud seeding, Izham said the measure was not yet necessary as current conditions had not entered a drought phase.

He acknowledged, however, that rainfall over the first six months of this year was lower than in the same period last year.

"Last year, rainfall from January to June reached 1,000 millimetres (mm). But this year, it has not reached 1,000 mm.

"Nevertheless, we expect rainfall to increase towards the end of this year. The weather now is difficult to predict," he said.

Izham reiterated that dam water levels remain controlled and have not placed pressure on the state's water supply.

Kosmo! reported yesterday that the extreme heat gripping Selangor in recent days had begun to cause unease among residents, with high temperatures and still air leaving several areas unusually sweltering.