Seeking shelter: Tourists visiting Dataran Merdeka using umbrellas to seek refuge from the scorching heat that is currently hitting the country. — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Schools at locations with level one hot weather status or temperatures above 35ºC should temporarily suspend outdoor activities.
Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said if the weather status changes to “heatwave” status, the Education Ministry can take the necessary action, including school closure, as contained in its Guidelines for the Closure of Educational Institutions.
Heatwave status refers to daily maximum temperatures above 37°C.
Other documents that lay out the action plan for managing heatwaves are the 2016 Heat Wave Action Plan and the 2021 Heat Wave Health Risk Management Action Plan by the Health Ministry.
Bernama reported Dr Muhammad Radzi as saying prolonged exposure to hot weather can be harmful to health, especially for high-risk groups such as children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
“School students are among the groups at high risk of facing the effects of health problems because of exposure to hot weather due to physiological factors and a lack of water intake,” he said.
Therefore, the Ministry advises parents to make sure their children drink enough water, and for those who are fasting, they should do so during sahur (the predawn meal) and iftar (breaking of fast).
According to a report by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) on Friday, Perlis has experienced heatwaves since March 19, while most parts of Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Pokok Sena, Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Pendang, Sik, Baling) and part of Perak (Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta) experienced level one hot weather.
MetMalaysia also forecasted dry and hot weather with temperatures above 35°C to continue in most places in the peninsula and Sabah until April.
