Planting season delayed

Four states have hit ‘heat wave’ status, with six areas exceeded the threshold of being considered a heat wave. The areas are Chuping in Perlis; Alor Setar in Kedah; Ipoh and Lubok Merbau in Perak; and Batu Embun and Temerloh in Pahang, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau. The indicator for a heat wave is when the highest temperature daily (or maximum temperature) reaches 35°C five days in a row, and also has increased by more than two degrees from the long-term average maximum temperature; or when the highest daily temperature reaches or exceeds 37°C degrees for a period of three consecutive days.

ALOR SETAR: Padi farmers in Kedah and Perlis here have got their plots ready, tilled the land and prepared the soil to begin the planting for the new season. But they are just sitting around.