Heat wave taking its toll on many Penangites

GEORGE TOWN: The hot and dry spell in Penang has been a bane for some, with many buying air conditioners to keep cool.

Engineer Phillip Chan, 35, recently installed an air conditioning unit in his living room, something he thought he might not need when he moved into his condominium five years ago.

“It was all right before. I could just sit and watch the television with just the fan on,” he said.

He added that he bought the air conditioner because it has been getting warmer since the end of May.

Housewife P.Y. Lim, 50, said she was sweating at home in recent days even though she did not do heavy household chores.

“Most of the time, I will switch on the air-con or I have to shower every few hours due to the sweat,” said Lim.

She had just recovered from flu, sore throat and cough, which she suspected could have been caused by the dry weather.

The heat has also been unbearable for Julie Khoo, 61, a housewife who walks to the market, which is about 10 minutes away from her home.

“It feels hotter than the last few months. It used to rain at night previously, so the morning after was always a relief but not now,” said Khoo.

Freelance photographer Zero Goh, 35, said the nights felt warmer than before.

“The weather was scorching a few months back but the nights did not feel as warm as they do now,” she said.

Ban Hin Bee Sdn Bhd general manager Wilson Yeoh said the company had recorded a 40% increase in the sale of air conditioners and 50% rise in sale of air coolers so far this month.

“The current hot weather might be a contributing factor for the increase but the upcoming Hari Raya might also be another factor,” he said.

The temperature recorded in Penang over the past week was between 30°C and 33°C, which is considered as fair weather, according to a Meteorological Services Department spokesman.

The coming week would also be generally dry here according to the department’s seven-day forecast, with isolated rain only expected today and next Saturday.

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