| Azlan Othman |
THE current El-Nino phenomena that brings hot and dry weather in the country, is expected to last till March this year, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department said yesterday.
Since early January until yesterday, the country has generally experienced relatively dry and hot weather conditions. These conditions are associated with the presence of strong El-Nino phenomenon in the Asia-Pacific region.
Based on the latest seasonal forecasts issued by major global climate centres, the current El-Nino phenomenon is expected to continue until March 2016.
The strong El-Nino phenomenon in the region is expected to cause significant reduction in rainfall formations and activities over Brunei, especially in the coming months of February and March, which is the driest season for Brunei in terms of rainfall.
Hence, dry and hot weather conditions are expected to occur with possible increase in the maximum daily air temperature of more than 34°C.
In view of these, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department advised the general public to take measures to save water and also avoid open burning during these dry weather conditions.
At the same time, the public is also advised to take into account current weather situation before planning or making any outdoor activities.
Motorists are also urged to drive with caution in case of haze and fog events that can reduce the visibility on roads.
The department said they would continue to monitor the weather situation and will issue appropriate weather advisories or warnings, as and when necessary.
For the latest weather update, the public can contact Duty Meteorological Forecaster at the Brunei Forecast Centre, through the Weather Line 114, or visit their website at www.met.gov.bn, follow their Facebook page (bruneiweather) or download the Brunei WX mobile application.
Meanwhile, Malaysian media quoted their Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau last week as saying that peninsular Malaysia, Limbang and Miri in Sarawak, and Sabah would be experiencing hot and dry weather until March.
The weather condition is expected to reduce rainfall by between 20-60 per cent and cause temperatures to rise between 0.5°C and 2°C.
Reuters quoted Japan’s weather bureau as saying on Tuesday that the El-Nino phenomenon has peaked between November and December, and there is a strong possibility that the weather would return to normal only by summer.
The El-Nino phenomena, or warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, led to scorching heat not only across Asia and east Africa, but also caused heavy rains and floods in South America.
Last week, Australia’s weather bureau said the 2015-16 El-Nino weather event, one of the three strongest in the past 50 years, has peaked in the recent weeks and is likely to return to ENSO (El-Nino – Southern Oscillation) Neutral condition by the second quarter of 2016.
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