PETALING JAYA (ANN/THE STAR) – Six districts across Peninsular Malaysia are experiencing unusually high temperatures, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
A Level 1 hot weather alert has been issued for Raub, Temerloh, Maran, Bentong, and Rompin in Pahang, as well as Kuala Krai in Kelantan.
This alert is triggered when temperatures range between 35°C and 37°C for three consecutive days.
In a related development, Kampung Raja Besut in Terengganu recorded an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 167 as of Thursday.
API values between 101 and 200 are categorised as unhealthy. Other areas nearing this threshold include Seberang Jaya and Seberang Perai in Penang, Taiping in Perak, Banting in Selangor, and Tanah Merah in Kelantan.
The National Disaster Management Agency reported 112 cases of heat-related illnesses as of July 23. These included 26 cases of heatstroke, 78 cases of heat fatigue, and eight cases of heat cramps.
Kedah reported the highest number of cases with 19, followed by Terengganu with 17, Johor and Pahang each with 14, Perak with 11, Negri Sembilan and Selangor each with nine, Sabah with seven, Kelantan and Perlis each with four, Kuala Lumpur with three, and Penang with one.
The cases comprised 86 adults, 21 teenagers, three children, and two senior citizens.
MetMalaysia’s drought monitoring report, issued on July 11, states that Malaysia is currently in the southwest monsoon phase, resulting in fewer rainy days across most of the country. This phase is expected to continue until mid-September.
While most parts of the peninsula can anticipate regular rainfall in August, Perlis, Kedah, and northern Perak are forecasted to receive below-average rainfall. Most parts of Sarawak are expected to receive average rainfall, with above-average rainfall predicted for Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, and Kapit.
Sabah and Labuan are projected to experience average rainfall throughout August.
