Malaysia is expected to experience prolonged hot weather from now until August, following the monsoon transition season, said the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

According to Harian Metro, the minister said the heatwave will affect all states, with the states in the north and east costs being affected the most severely.

“The area in the north is worse and most noticeable, with some areas bordering Thailand reaching temperatures of over 37°C,” he said on Saturday, 15 April.

“We expect this situation to last until August because of the monsoon transition. After August rain is expected to return,” he added.

According to sources, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) alerted that the Jeli district in Kelantan would experience temperatures of up to 40°C for three consecutive days.

METMalaysia’s hot weather alert is broken down into three levels:
– Level 1 (be careful): temperatures between 35°C and 37°C for at least three consecutive days
– Level 2 (heatwave): temperatures between 37°C and 40°C for at least three consecutive days
– Level 3 (extreme heatwave): temperatures above 40°C for at least three consecutive days

The Jeli district was told to be wary of a heatwave between 14 April and 16 April.

Harian Metro reported that residents in the area were forced to be ‘locked up’ at home due to the heatwave, with a local saying that children had to sleep without clothes and adults had to shower at 3am because they could not sleep.

Meanwhile, The Borneo Post also reported that Kuala Lumpur was among 17 areas issued with Level 1 alert.

Additionally, Nik Nazmi stated that the haze that the country is currently experiencing is caused by the hot weather

The minister attributed peat fires and open burning to the phenomenon, Bernama quoted him as saying on Saturday.

Peat fires refer to the burning of fuel sources buried deep underground, usually at a depth of four to six metres. They are said to be almost impossible to be extinguished without re-establishing the natural water levels of the area.

“Hot weather has caused fires to occur in forested areas and owned properties. The haze is not happening only in Malaysia but also in other countries in the ASEAN region,” Nik Nazmi said.

Various government agencies have been fighting the peat fires in Kampung Beoh, the Beris Lalang subdistrict in Bachok, Kelantan since 27 March.

With united efforts and the resilience of the Malaysian people, the nation stand strong in the face of this climatic adversity, ready to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.