KUALA LUMPUR – Seven areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded yellow alert level heat waves as at 4.30pm yesterday, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
The department’s portal said the locations were Chuping, Perlis; Kota Setar, Kedah; Kuala Kangsar, Perak; Sepang, Selangor; Alor Gajah, Melaka; and Tangkak and Batu Pahat di Johor.
However, no areas in Sabah or Sarawak recorded heat waves. The maximum daily temperature recorded in the two states was less than 35°C.
Yellow level denotes a daily maximum temperature of 35°C to 37°C for at least three consecutive days.
Orange level is when the daily maximum temperature is 38°C to 40°C, while red denotes a hazardous situation whereby the maximum temperature is above 40°C, each for a period of at least three consecutive days.
Meanwhile, as of noon today, the air pollutants index reading in most areas in the peninsula showed moderate air quality, with Rompin district in Pahang recording the highest reading of 92, while Sabah and Sarawak had good APIs.
API readings between 0 to 50 denote good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while 300 and above is hazardous.
The department previously said that the country is now in the final phase of the northeast monsoon season, expected to continue until the middle of this month with relatively low rainfall in the peninsula, especially in the northern states.
However, the department does not expect unusually hot weather conditions to occur this year. – Bernama, March 6, 2021
