Experts: Take measures against hot, dry weather

KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been advised to limit outdoor activities during the current southwest monsoon phase, which began on May 17 and brings hotter and drier weather.

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Faculty of Forestry and Environment senior lecturer Dr Zulfa Hanan Ash’aari said residents in affected areas are expected to face these conditions until mid-September, so they need to take precautions to protect themselves, in addition to drinking enough water.

“Additionally, they should avoid open burning or throwing cigarette butts (carelessly), which can cause fires that lead to the haze,” she said when contacted by Bernama on Monday.

She added that during this period, the winds are blowing from the southwest, which has regions that are less humid, compared with the northeast monsoon winds that come from the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea, which are more humid.

This causes lower humidity in Malaysia during the southwest monsoon phase, said Zulfa Hanan.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute of Climate Change research fellow Dr Maggie Ooi Chel Gee said the public is also advised to wear appropriate clothing and apply sunscreen to avoid heatstroke.

“They should keep themselves well hydrated when carrying out outdoor activities. If needed, use a hat or a non-transparent umbrella to protect their skin from the heat.

“Malaysia has entered the dry season under the influence of the southwest monsoon, with this season usually receiving low rainfall, and we always get reports related to fires in several locations, especially in South-East Asia,” she added.

On Monday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said as many as six areas recorded Level 1 hot weather alerts, involving four areas in the peninsula (Larut and Matang, Perak; Kuala Muda, Kedah; Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai in Kelantan), and in Bintulu and Sri Aman in Sarawak.

The number of calls to the Fire and Rescue Department in four states, namely Perak, Selangor, Johor, and Sarawak, has seen a sharp increase, exceeding 100 per day last week, said the department.

At a press conference after the department’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya on Monday, its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the number of daily calls concerning open burning surpassed 100 cases on July 25 and 26, reaching 249 calls last Saturday and 244 last Sunday.

He said the average number of daily calls about open burning was between 50 and 60, but a sudden spike occurred due to the current southwest monsoon.

“My biggest concern is that open fires usually involve large areas and take a long time to extinguish,” he said.