El Níño triggers flood risk in Sri Lanka and heat‑drought alerts in Malaysia

The ongoing El Níño climate pattern is expected to intensify, bringing abnormal weather to South Asia. In Sri Lanka, meteorologists warn that October and November could see rainfall well above the seasonal average, increasing the likelihood of severe flooding in several regions. The same El Níño is projected to strengthen further in December through February, with a 60 % chance of heavy rains, while July to September may experience notably reduced precipitation and higher temperatures.

In Malaysia, officials say the El Níño will cause unusually high temperatures and drier conditions during the southwest monsoon. The deputy prime minister highlighted risks of water shortages, forest and coal‑field fires, and smoke pollution. The public has been urged to conserve water, avoid open‑burning of waste, and monitor weather updates through the “myCuaca” app and MetMalaysia bulletins.