A sweltering 37°C in four states

Too hot to be out: A thermometer showing the scorching heat in Chuping as school children leave for home.

PETALING JAYA: Perlis and Sabah remain among the hottest states in the country, with Pahang and Penang joining them as the places with 37°C temperatures.

In a statement issued by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Batu Embun (Pahang), Chuping (Perlis), Kenin­gau (Sabah) and Prai (Penang) recorded the highest temperatures as of 4pm yesterday.

Temerloh (Pahang), Lubok Mer­bau (Perak), Ipoh (Perak), Kuala Krai (Kelantan) and Alor Setar (Kedah) were hot as well with a recorded temperature of 36°C.

Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said the sweltering situation is expected to repeat today.

“The haze situation also happened because of the heatwave and human activities such as industry, motorised vehicles and agriculture waste burning.

“Therefore, the public is advised not to do any open burning, especially that involves camping. The public is also advised to limit outdoor activities, especially in the evening,” he said in the state-ment.

A technical committee handling the El Nino and heatwave phe-nomenon had also agreed on the heatwave definition used by the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

MetMalaysia has defined the heatwave in four stages; Level 0 (Observation) below 35°C; Level 1 (Caution) between 35°C and 37°C for three days in a row; Level 2 (Heatwave) over 37°C for three days in a row; and Level 3 (Emergency) over 40°C for three days in a row. Schools will closed from Level 2 onwards.