The likelihood of El Niño developing later this year is increasing, according to a new update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) that was released in early May. This would have the opposite impacts on weather and climate patterns in many regions of the world to the long-running La Niña and would likely fuel higher global temperatures. At this stage there is no indication of the strength or duration of El Niño. Is Malaysia prepared? We catch up with Piarapakaran S., the President of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER) to discuss what El Niño events are typically associated with in different parts of the world - including causing severe drought in Asia - and steps the government must take to ensure that Malaysia is prepared to face this seasonal weather pattern.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs

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Categories:  environment,  government

Tags:  World Meteorological Organisation,  water shortages,  el nino,  drought,