El Nino Watch

Why the recommended spec matters

For safety items the certification or strength decides whether the product protects you: a mask without N95/KN95/P2, a repellent without enough DEET or icaridin, or a filter coarser than 0.1 micron does not do the job.

Preparedness

Key specs used in the panel, in plain English:

  • Masks: only certified respirators filter PM2.5: N95 (US NIOSH), KN95 (China GB 2626) or P2 (Australia/NZ), printed on the mask. Cloth and surgical masks do not.
  • Water filter: a hollow-fibre membrane rated 0.1 micron removes bacteria and protozoa but not viruses or chemicals: still boil or chlorinate doubtful water.
  • Bleach for water: the label must say sodium hypochlorite 5-6%, unscented; colour-safe bleach is not chlorine.
  • Repellent: DEET 20-30% or icaridin (picaridin) about 20% on the label (US EPA-registered actives).
  • ORS: pharmacy oral rehydration salts (WHO formula), not sports drinks.
  • Power station: LiFePO4 battery (long life, safer); size it in Wh. A phone charge is about 15-20 Wh, a USB fan 5-10 W; a fridge needs about 1 kWh per day.
  • Power bank: 20,000 mAh is about 74 Wh; buy a known brand with the Thai TIS mark.
  • Air purifier: HEPA, with a CADR / room size at least as big as the room you seal.
  • Water tank / jerrycans: food-grade, opaque, tight lid (no algae, no mosquitoes).

Why it matters for Koh Samui

In an emergency you rely on the item working the first time. Fakes and under-spec products are common online and look the same in photos.

Sources

Related

ENSO status now

ONI (NOAA CPC)
+1.80 °C, JJA 2026 (previous +1.39 °C)
RONI (NOAA CPC)
+1.36 °C, JJA 2026
Nino 3.4 weekly (NOAA CPC / OISST)
+3.0 °C anomaly, week of 16 Sep 2026 (SST 29.6 °C)