DMH warns wildfires and urban fires in El Niño’s hotter summer

Due to impacts of El Niño, this summer will be hotter than last year, therefore fire hazards, including forest fires, need to be aware of, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
“El Niño is declared, so hot-dry climate will be worse. When the temperature reaches gradually higher, we would issue announcements on how to protect themselves from the heat and the public needs to follow. So does the agricultural sector. The hot-dry climate may drive fire hazards — forest fires and urban fires, and consequences of the extreme heat, weather conditions such as heavy rain and strong wind are needed to be aware of,” said the department’s director U Hla Tun.
The temperature is predicted to get higher in all regions and states except highlands in upper Myanmar, due to El Niño, according to the department. Due to the extreme heat, more cumulonimbus clouds, lightning and strong winds are predicted to happen in the pre-monsoon period.
According to global meteorology department’s mathematical modeling forecasts, El Niño will continue in its moderate condition in March 2024. Although El Niño is predicted to happen in the Pacific Ocean, its global consequences in general include extreme weather conditions such as abnormal rain, elevated daytime temperature, abnormal storm and draught. — Thit Taw/ZS/ED