PUTRAJAYA, June 30 — Malaysia has put in place contingency plans to tackle El Niño to ensure the food stockpile, maintenance of livestock and water are manageable, said a government special committee set up to tackle the impending weather phenomenon.

The committee said that the erratic weather patterns indicated that the intensity of the phenomenon felt currently is “mild or moderate” but it could last up to next year.

“The last mild El Niño that took place in 2009 to 2010 hardly impacted the nation but if the El Niño is severe, like in 1997 to 1998, it could affect various sectors including environment, utilities, health, agriculture, commodities, transportation and the economy,” said the committee in a statement today.

The committee, after a two-hour long meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, also said that improvements to the contingency plan will be made in the event the weather worsens.

Several short- and medium-term preparations are being executed including improvement of irrigation systems, management of farms and drought-resistant crops as well as diversifying source of income for farmers and fishermen, said the committee.

“Alternatively, food imports will be increased if there is a serious shortage... while farmers and breeders will be given aid through the Agro-Food Relief Fund to restore their farming projects,” it added.

The federal government is also closely monitoring water levels at reservoirs with help from the Drainage and Irrigation Department, National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and state governments, said the committee.

“Water supply contingency plans will be activated if the levels in the reservoirs fall to a critical position... but water rationing will be the last resort,” it said.

In major parts of Southeast Asia, prolonged drought associated with the strong El Niño climate change in 1982-1983 and 1997-1998 brought widespread and uncontrollable forest fires, which led to severe transboundary haze.

Globally, however, the prolonged effects of the phenomenon have resulted in famines, floods and even riots, as a result of surging food prices.