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THE nations is bracing for a broader stretch of hot and dry weather in the coming months, with meteorologists warning that falling rainfall and declining dam levels could heighten the risk of water shortages, fires and localised haze.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said in its March to August outlook that the country is gradually transitioning towards a weak El Niño phase expected between June and August, a pattern typically associated with warmer and drier conditions.
“The dry weather can bring a rise in temperatures and pose the risk of forest and peatland fires, which can lead to localised haze,” the department said in a report released yesterday.
Northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia are already experiencing particularly dry conditions, with several dams reaching warning levels amid persistent heat.
Among the most affected is the Muda Dam in Kedah, which had fallen to 10.36 per cent of its capacity at the time of reporting. A warning alert was also issued for the Bukit Merah Dam in Perak, where water levels stood at 36.61 per cent capacity.
Caution alerts have been issued for several other reservoirs including the Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis, the Ahning and Beris dams in Kedah, as well as the Labong, Gunung Pulai 2 and Upper Layang dams in Johor.
Although the central region has so far been spared the worst of the dry conditions, with thunderstorms forecast in parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, MetMalaysia said the respite is expected to be temporary.
Rainfall in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is forecast to decline from July onwards, bringing hotter and drier conditions to the region.
Southern states including Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor are also expected to experience reduced rainfall beginning in June.
Sarawak is similarly forecast to see lower rainfall levels through August.
MetMalaysia said the current hot and dry conditions in northern and inland areas are expected to persist until Monday, marking the tail end of the north-east monsoon season which began in November last year.
The department noted that while rainfall has declined overall, brief thunderstorms may still occur in parts of the western peninsula.
Daytime temperatures across Peninsular Malaysia were forecast yesterday to range between 33°C and 36°C.
Authorities have also issued a Level 1 heatwave alert for three localities — Perlis, Baling in Kedah and Pasir Mas in Kelantan.
The Level 1, or caution status, is triggered when maximum daily temperatures reach between 35°C and 37°C for three consecutive days.
Several areas in Kelantan, including Kota Baru and Bachok, as well as parts of Terengganu such as Setiu, Besut, Kuala Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman, recorded around 10 to 11 consecutive days without rainfall in late February.
In East Malaysia, temperatures in Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan are forecast to range between 31°C and 33°C. - March 7, 2026