Large swathes of Peninsular Malaysia under Level 1 heatwave alert

PETALING JAYA: According to the latest advisory from MetMalaysia, almost all states in Malaysia – except for Terengganu – are in the grip of a heat alert, with a total of 47 localities involved.

This is the largest number of localities under a heatwave alert since the dry hot season began in early February.

The entire state of Perlis remains under Level 2 heatwave status, as well as Beaufort in Sabah, which can see daily maximum temperatures of up to between 37 degrees Celcius and 40 degrees Celcius for three consecutive days.

The areas under Level 1 heatwave alert are Kedah (Langkawi, Kota Setar, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Baling, Kulim, Sik, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap and Kubang Pasu), Perak (Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta and Kampar), Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Sepang, Negri Sembilan (Kuala Pilah, Rembau, Jempol, Seremban, Jelebu and Tampin), and Melaka (Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah and Jasin).

Also affected are Johor (Tangkak, Muar, Johor Baru, Kulai, Kluang and Segamat), Pahang (Bera, Maran, Raub, Temerloh, Bentong and Jerantut) and Kelantan (Gua Musang, Kuala Krai and Jeli).

In Sabah, Kota Belud is under Level 1 heatwave alert as well as Limbang, Telang Usan and Mukah in Sarawak.

Level 1 heatwave status indicates daily maximum temperatures of up to between 35 degrees Celcius and 37 degrees Celcius for three consecutive days.

MetMalaysia director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said the intermonsoon period, which will likely bring rain, is expected to begin on March 29.

He added that the country is expected to fully recover from the effects of hot weather by mid-April.