Malaysia is expected to face a brief La Niña episode beginning December 2025 till early next year, which could affect national rainfall patterns.
PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia will prioritise river basin management as a critical flood-mitigation measure ahead of a potential La Niña early next year, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said. The push sits alongside new flood-mitigation infrastructure, and expanded monitoring and early warning systems.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
PETRA’s Near-Term Focus: DID at the Front Line
“This is PETRA’s priority through the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) in the near term. We are continuously monitoring the situation,” Akmal Nasrullah said after officiating the 6th International Conference on Water Resources (ICWR) in Putrajaya.
Malaysia is expected to face a brief La Niña episode beginning December 2025 till early next year, which could affect national rainfall patterns. In a statement on Saturday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said that, based on international climate models, there was a 56% probability of the current neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase persisting until October next year.
Elaborating on preparedness, Akmal Nasrullah said the government is prioritising maintenance and emergency funding for critical areas. “Considering existing constraints, assessments will be made to determine which agencies should be prioritised in addressing these issues including in matters of budget allocation.”
Call to Action: Private Sector at the Table
Akmal Nasrullah called on all parties, including the private sector, to partner on solutions to Malaysia’s water and flood management challenges. “We need to increase interest and opportunities for private sector involvement by opening the door for those with expertise and technology to contribute more significantly. I believe this serves as a strong incentive for industry growth and opens the door to investments.”
ICWR 2025 convened experts, stakeholders and policymakers to discuss increasingly critical water resource issues in Malaysia, including floods, droughts and river pollution—themes that underscore the urgency of PETRA’s basin-scale approach and early-warning focus.
With river basin management elevated as a national priority—backed by infrastructure upgrades, monitoring, early warnings, and a push for cross-sector collaboration—Malaysia is positioning to reduce flood risks as La Niña potential approaches and climate variability tests water systems nationwide.
Lead image courtesy of TEERASAK AINKEAW (flooded river and damaged bridge)
