Malaysia is currently experiencing a heatwave, but according to a government report, things are only going to get worse in the future. The report predicts severe dry spells in the country next year and in 2026, which could lead to a significant decrease in rainfall of up to 36.3% in certain areas.
This reduction in rainfall will have a major impact on various sectors, affecting raw water supplies, rice harvests, rubber and oil palm yields, as well as livestock. The report, prepared by the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry in 2018, highlights the potential consequences of these dry spells.
Some of the areas that are expected to be most severely affected include the Sungai Dungun and Sungai Kemaman basins in Terengganu. Looking further ahead, dry spells are projected to occur in Sarawak from 2045 to 2055, in specific regions such as the upper central region, northwest, as well as the Rajang, Saribas, Lupar and Kemena river basins.
The state of Sabah, however, is not anticipated to face such severe dry spells during that period. The report also draws on findings from the El Nino phenomenon that occurred between March 2015 and April 2016, indicating potential risks to certain dams in different states.
Dams like Padang Saga, Beris, Muda, and Pedu dams in Kedah, as well as others in Perak, Perlis, Johor, Kelantan, and Negri Sembilan, experienced water levels below the 50% warning mark for an extended period from January to August 2016.
Future projections suggest that these dams could face significant dry spells with a return period of more than 10 years by 2040. The report emphasizes the need for immediate planning and implementation of adaptation actions to ensure sufficient water resources during these dry spell periods.
In addition, major rice planting areas in Peninsular Malaysia may witness drops in crop yields between 6% to 31% from 2030 to 2050 due to climate change. This could result in around 106 water-deficit months in these areas during those periods, further highlighting the potential challenges ahead.
