El Nino Grip Tightens
The phrases “El Nino” and “bad news” appear to be inextricably entwined. In Sarawak East Malaysia the weather phenomenon has caused drought conditions in some areas and deep in the interior “primary schoolchildren wash cups, plates, spoons and themselves in dirty streams, which resemble drains” (The Star).
And if that were not bad enough, the number of open fires is increasing thereby contributing to a worsening ‘Haze’. Reportedly four areas in Sarawak – Bintulu, Miri, Samarahan, Sibu – recorded unhealthy API readings of between 110 and 153 while Port Klang on Peninsula Malaysia became the first area there with an unhealthy 113 reading.
My contact in Kuching, the State capital of Sarawak, tells me that at the moment the situation there is bearable.
With this situation potentially lasting through until September or October the region needs rain urgently.
