Kuala lumpur: Extreme weather brought about by the El Ni±o phenomenon could drive up electricity consumption as hotter weather further increases energy demand, particularly from households, with the use of cooling equipment rising, Malaysian Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir has warned.

According to Nam News Network, the El Ni±o phenomenon could also disrupt food supply chains and add to inflationary pressures, Akmal told a press briefing on Monday. "Changes in weather conditions are another area that we need to monitor closely. Any disruption to the food supply chain would have implications for inflation and related issues."

Akmal highlighted that this has become a key challenge for the Ministry of Economy because, during the first half of the year, they had to deal with the global supply crisis. As a result, discussions and narratives on longer-term plans may have been delayed or shifted towards addressing more immediate crises.

He reassured that rice stocks are sufficient through the end of the year, while prices of some food items, including meat and vegetables, have eased despite continued fluctuations in the prices of essential goods.

This year's El Ni±o, which brings hotter and drier conditions and could push temperatures above 40°C, is forecast to occur between October this year and January 2027.