People Take Precautions During Heat Wave

ALOR SETAR, March 29 (Bernama) — People in the state are taking precautions in carrying out daily activities following high temperatures during the day due to the Level 1 and 2 heat waves that hit several districts.

Temperature readings reaching between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius prompted people to be more careful to avoid the adverse effects of extreme hot weather.

A resident, Mohd Sharudin Ahmad Sobri, 38, said he reduced outdoor activities and avoided exposure to hot weather unless necessary.

He said high temperatures can cause a feeling of fainting and are risky, especially when riding a motorcycle.

“If there is nothing to do, I spend more time at home. When I go out, my skin feels sore from the heat, and the current weather conditions feel hotter than before,” he said when met here today.

Meanwhile, Nur Suraya Johari, 27, said she now always carries an umbrella every time she goes out as protection from the sun.

“Sometimes I avoid leaving the house, especially with small children as I’m worried about their safety. In this situation, taking care of my health and drinking enough water is very important,” she said.

For sugarcane juice trader Mahdi Hassan, 46, the hot weather has given him a slight advantage as sales have increased compared to before.

“If previously the average sales were around 40 kilogrammes, now it has doubled to about 80 kilogrammes a day, but it usually sold out as early as 3 or 4 pm,” he said.

Yesterday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) announced that the entire Perlis, four districts in Kedah and one district in Perak had recorded a Level 2 heat wave, while 13 other areas in Peninsular Malaysia were at Level 1, which is on alert.

According to MetMalaysia, Level 2 is declared when the daily maximum temperature exceeds between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days, while Level 1 refers to a daily maximum temperature between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius during the same period.

In Kedah, the four districts that recorded Level 2 are Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling, while Level 1 involves Padang Terap, Kubang Pasu, Pulau Langkawi, Kuala Muda, Sik, Kulim and Bandar Baharu.

— BERNAMA