El Nino, the climate phenomenon which contributed to choking haze in the region in 1997, could return to Malaysia in May, an official said Saturday.

"The chances of El Nino occuring here from May to October is about 65 percent," said an official spokesman from the weather department.

"We don't know how it's going to be like, but looking at the last time it occured, we will face drought and haze from the fires, which are incidental to the dry weather," he told AFP.

El Nino, a massive displacement of water in the Pacific Ocean, brings higher surface temperatures off the coast of South America and cooler waters around Australia and New Zealand.

The phenomenon is believed to cause droughts, floods, frosts and forest fires around the world in regions as far apart as south Asia and the Horn of Africa.

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said earlier this month scientists were observing "a steady evolution toward El Nino conditions".

Worst dry spell

The weather spokesman told AFP the El Nino phenomenon was likely to bring on a repeat of the choking haze which shrouded the region in 1997 which caused major traffic and health hazards as well as an estimated 9.3 billion dollars in economic losses.

However, he was confident that Malaysia was "more prepared to face it, compared to it's last occurence five years ago".

"I think the authorities, especially those dealing with fires caused by the dry weather, are more aware that the El Nino is coming this year. They're more prepared this time," he said.

Malaysia is curently suffering its worst dry season in years, with thousands of hectares of forest destroyed by fires and water rationing looming in some areas.

Haze from forest and peat fires has covered much of the area surrounding the capital Kuala Lumpur, where air pollution levels over the past month have remained unhealthy.

Environmental department officials have warned that the dry spell, which started early February, was expected to last until the end of the month.

The government last month announced an immediate ban on all forms of open burning except for cremation and religious rites, threatening offenders with a fine of RM500,000 and five years in jail.