Malaysia peninsular faces El Nino-driven drought

El Nino collided with the equinox to drive temperatures in four states in Malaysia's peninsular and Sabah close to danger levels (40°) over the weekend. Professor Dr Fredolin Tangang, a climatology and oceanography expert, said the dry spell could last until May, leaving villagers who rely on streams, rivers and rain for water at risk.

PETALING JAYA: Four states in the peninsula and Sabah recorded the highest temperature readings in the country yesterday on the day of the equinox smack during the El-Nino phenomenon.

The locations were Chuping in Perlis (39.5°C), Alor Setar in Kedah (39.1), Ipoh in Perak (37.5), and Temerloh in Pahang (37.4) and Keningau (37) in Sabah.