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M’sia to take emergency measures if temperatures exceed 40°C

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia will declare a heatwave emergency if temperatures in any area exceed 40°C for seven or more days, as part of an action plan to mitigate the effects from the current hot weather that has enveloped the country.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia will declare a heatwave emergency if temperatures in any area exceed 40°C for seven or more days, as part of an action plan to mitigate the effects from the current hot weather that has enveloped the country.

Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar warned yesterday that the current heatwave is only expected to end in May and said schools will be closed temporarily if the mercury goes above 37°C for more than 72 hours.

He said the Malaysian Cabinet, which met yesterday, had approved the setting up of a special committee on the heatwave tasked to monitor the current situation and execute the action plan, which takes effect immediately.

“If temperatures go beyond 40°C for seven days or more, the National Disaster Management Agency will declare a ‘heatwave emergency’ and announce emergency measures to be taken,” Mr Wan Junaidi was quoted as saying by The Star Online in a press conference yesterday.

However, he did not elaborate on the emergency measures that Malaysia planned to take.

Mr Wan Junaidi said a first alert will be issued if temperatures reach or exceed 37°C for three consecutive days. “When the first warning is issued, we will order the postponement of outdoor activities at schools and outdoor sports activities. If the temperature hits 37°C for more than 72 hours, that is when we issue the second warning. Schools in affected areas will be ordered to close,” he said.

The current heatwave enveloping Malaysia has seen temperatures soaring to as high as 38.5°C in some areas.

Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau said on Thursday that six areas in Malaysia have either reached or exceeded the heatwave threshold.

These areas are Chuping, Perlis; Alor Setar, Kedah; Ipoh and Lubuk Merbau, Perak, and Batu Embun and Temerloh, Pahang.

In Malaysia, a heatwave threshold is defined as a daily temperature of 35°C for five consecutive days and exceeding the long-term average maximum temperature by 2°C.

The Malaysian Health Ministry has recorded 14 heat-related illnesses from March 1 until yesterday, with 11 comprising heat exhaustion and three heat-stroke cases.

The heatwave has also caused a fatality, said Malaysian Health Minister S Subramaniam.

“Yesterday, a male trainee policeman at the Segamat Police Training Centre (Pulapol) became the first victim to die of heatstroke, which caused his body cells to stop functioning,” he was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

Mr Subramaniam advised the public to stay hydrated, reduce outdoor activities, wear light clothing and stay in places with good ventilation.

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