26/03/2026

THURSDAY | MAR 26, 2026

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Heatwave entering dangerous stretch

o Prolonged exposure could trigger variety of heat-related illnesses: Health Ministry

She also suggested that homes should have heat-buffered spaces, particularly during peak afternoon temperatures, through good ventilation, fans, or air-conditioning. Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Faculty of Health Sciences senior lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Aryati Ahmad emphasised the importance of increasing water intake, fruit consumption and balanced meals to maintain hydration. “Reduce the consumption of overly sweet, salty and fatty foods as they could cause the body to become thirsty quickly, leading to lethargy and discomfort in hot weather.” She added that food storage must also be handled with care, as high temperatures could cause it to spoil rapidly, increasing the risk of food poisoning. (Perak), Subang (Selangor), Kudat (Sabah) and Mulu (Sarawak) recorded normal levels. “However, most other stations showed rainfall below normal levels, with Kedah (Alor Setar, Kubang Pasu and Langkawi) and Papar (Sabah) each recording up to 17 days without rain, while Perlis recorded 15 days without rain as of March 23.” Ambun said northern areas of the Peninsula such as Kedah, including Pendang, Baling and Padang Terap, are more vulnerable to hot weather due to geographical factors and the Northeast Monsoon wind pattern, which brings more humidity to the East Coast and southern peninsula, as well as Sabah and Sarawak. “In January, the focus of wind flow and weather systems is more active in the area, causing the northern and between 11am and 4pm. The ministry also said staying hydrated is critical, advising the public to drink at least eight glasses of water daily even if they do not feel thirsty, while cutting back on sugary, caffeinated and carbonated drinks that could worsen dehydration. It said simple measures such as wearing light clothing, taking frequent showers, limiting strenuous activity and using fans or air conditioning could make a significant difference in reducing heat stress. It also cautioned against staying inside parked vehicles without ventilation and reiterated a strict reminder: never leave children unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Communities were urged to look out for vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly individuals living alone, as heat-related symptoms could escalate quickly without timely intervention. Those experiencing signs of heat related illness have been advised to seek immediate medical attention. “(The ministry) also urges government agencies, educational institutions, elderly care centres and childcare centres to implement the

disease, hypertension, patients undergoing chemotherapy, the elderly and individuals with autoimmune issues.” She added that heatstroke is a grave condition that could be fatal if not treated immediately, while long-term exposure could lead to dehydration, affecting the body’s physiological functions. “The situation could also exacerbate chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney problems, besides causing stress and discomfort that could impact mental health, including depression.” She advised the public to pay special attention to vulnerable groups to ensure they are shielded from extreme heat, and to protect chronic patients and the elderly by ensuring they receive adequate medication and water intake. with lower rainfall than usual for the next few months. “During the monsoon transition phase expected to begin at the end of March, the west coast and interior areas of Peninsular Malaysia, western Sabah and Sarawak are expected to receive rain, especially in the afternoon and early evening. This rain is expected to bring down temperatures in Malaysia a little.” He added that rainfall is expected to increase from the end of this week, affecting most areas in the west and interior of the peninsula as well as western Sabah and Sarawak. He also said based on the latest records, several areas such as Limbang in Sarawak, and Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah have recorded rainfall above normal levels, while several other locations such as Ipoh of heat-related illnesses. This ranges from headaches, fatigue and dizziness to more severe outcomes such as dehydration, confusion, unconsciousness and even coma. “Hot weather could be harmful to human health, and in extreme cases, it could be fatal.” Continuous monitoring by the ministry from Jan 1 to March 24 recorded a total of 15 heat-related illness cases nationwide, comprising 11 cases of heat exhaustion, one case of heat cramps and three cases of heatstroke. “(The individuals involved) in all cases have recovered, except for one involving a child who was accidentally left in a vehicle and subsequently died due to heatstroke.” The ministry emphasised that while anyone could be affected, the risks are significantly higher for children, the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers and those engaging in physical activity under the sun. With festive season visits and outdoor activities expected to continue, the ministry urged the public to rethink their routines, particularly during peak heat hours

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: The heatwave currently affecting the country not only increases health risks but may also lead to long-term physiological complications such as heatstroke. Universiti Putra Malaysia public health medicine expert Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman said health risks from hot weather can be divided into two main categories: acute effects and long-term consequences. She said acute effects include heatstroke, which occurs when the body is continuously exposed to high temperatures until it fails to adapt, subsequently disrupting the cardiovascular system. “This condition typically affects individuals unaccustomed to heat or those suddenly exposed to high temperatures. “It is more pronounced in those with chronic illnesses, such as kidney KUALA LUMPUR: The hot weather phenomenon currently affecting the country is expected to continue until the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon in June, following drier atmospheric conditions and lower rainfall, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). Its deputy director-general (Operations) Ambun Dindang said the country is currently in the final phase of the Northeast Monsoon, which is usually characterised by reduced rainfall, and hotter and drier weather conditions, especially in the northern and interior areas of the peninsula. He said based on local and international weather model projections, the country is expected to experience drier weather patterns PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is entering a dangerous stretch of heatwave, with health authorities saying soaring temperatures are triggering illnesses nationwide, and could turn deadly if precautions are ignored. The Health Ministry in a statement yesterday said several areas across Kedah, Penang, Perak, Pahang and Perlis are now under a Level 1 heat alert, with temperatures hovering between 35°C and 37°C for at least three consecutive days. Parts of Kedah (Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling) have escalated to Level 2, in which temperatures have exceeded 37°C and may climb as high as 40°C. The ministry added that prolonged exposure to such conditions could lead to a spectrum

The ministry said staying hydrated is critical, advising the public to drink at least eight glasses of water daily even if they do not feel thirsty, while cutting back on sugary, caffeinated and carbonated drinks that could worsen dehydration. – AMI R UL SYAFIQ/THESUN

(39.1°C) in 1998, all of which occurred during strong El Nino phenomena.” Ambun said Malaysia has the potential to reach a Level 3 heat wave if a strong El Nino occurs, but the development of the phenomenon is still being monitored. He added that MetMalaysia defines a heat wave as a daily maximum temperature exceeding 37°C for three consecutive days, with a Level 1 warning issued at 35°C to 37°C , Level 2 at 37°C to 40°C and Level 3 when the temperature exceeds 40°C for the same period. He also advised the public to drink enough water, reduce outdoor activities especially during the afternoon, wear appropriate clothing and avoid open burning and be prudent in water use to avoid wastage. – Bernama Drought declared on Pulau Sebatik TAWAU: The Tawau District Disaster Management Committee declared a state of drought affecting Pulau Sebatik. Tawau Municipal Council president Datuk Joseph Pang, who also chairs the committee, said the declaration covers the island area within the district. “It is hereby declared at 10am today (yesterday) that a drought has occurred in Pulau Sebatik, Tawau,” he said in a statement. He said the decision was made after assessing the current situation based on reports and field data from relevant agencies within the committee, which indicated that the area is experiencing prolonged dry conditions. Pulau Sebatik is an island shared between two countries, with its northern part located in Malaysia and its southern portion in Indonesia. – Bernama access preventive measures to reduce health risks from hot weather on the Health Ministry’s InfoSihat portal (https://infosihat.moh.gov.my/cuac a-panas.html). tus-cuacapanas/) and

recommended preventive measures to reduce heat-related health risks. The public can obtain the latest updates on hot weather status via the MetMalaysia website (https://www.met.gov.my/iklim/sta

Hot spell could lead to long-term physiological complications, says expert

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip advised the public to avoid prolonged exposure in open areas, especially during extreme heat. “The best measure is to avoid being in open spaces for long periods. If you must go out, use an umbrella or a hat and seek shaded areas.” MetMalaysia on Tuesday reported that the Pendang and Baling districts in Kedah became the latest areas hit by a Level 2 heatwave, with daily maximum temperatures reaching 37°C to 40°C. Padang Terap in Kedah also remains at Level 2. western areas of Peninsular Malaysia to experience drier and hotter weather conditions.” He added that generally, hot weather conditions in Malaysia occur in the final phase of the Northeast Monsoon from February to April, in which the northern areas of Peninsular Malaysia tend to show warmer weather patterns, but it also depends on climate variability such as the El Nino climate phenomenon. He also said based on global climate models, Malaysia is no exception to experiencing an increase in the frequency of extreme hot days, especially if influenced by El Nino. “The country’s highest temperature record shows a reading of 40.1°C in Chuping, Perlis in 1998, followed by Batu Embun, Pahang (39.3°C) in 2016 and Alor Setar

A total of 15 other areas in the peninsula are at Level 1, including the whole of Perlis and Kuala Lumpur, as well as several districts in Kedah, Penang and Perak. – Bernama Climate phenomenon expected to continue until June: MetMalaysia