Heatwave: Schools told to stay vigilant as hot weather persists

PETALING JAYA: The hot weather in the peninsula continues, especially in the northern states such as Perlis and Kedah.

The whole of Perlis went back to a Level 2 heatwave warning after fluctuating between Level 1 and 2 over the past weekend.

Most areas in Kedah were issued a Level 1 alert, while Pokok Sena is still on a Level 2 warning as per the advisory by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) updated at 4.30pm on Monday (March 19).

More states were issued a Level 1 alert, only Kelantan and Terengganu were spared from the heat.

States with areas on Level 1 alert are Penang, Perak, Selangor, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.

In Kedah, the areas on Level 1 alerts were Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Timur Laut, Kuala Muda, Pendang and Kota Setar.

Kuala Kangsar, Kinta and Kampar in Perak were issued Level 1 alerts.

In Pahang, the locations affected were Raub, Temerloh and Bentong.

Kuala Selangor, Putrajaya and Sepang in Selangor were also affected.

In Negri Sembilan, Seremban, Rembau, Jelebu and Tampin were issued a similar Level 1 warning.

Alor Gajah in Melaka was also hit.

In Johor, the locations affected are Muar, Segamat and Batu Pahat.

Meanwhile, Kota Belud in Sabah received a similar Level 1 warning.

MetMalaysia will issue a Level 2 heatwave warning when temperatures are between 37 and 40°C over three consecutive days.

Whereas, a Level 1 alert is issued when temperatures at a location are between 35 and 37°C over the same number of days.

Earlier on Monday, the Education Ministry set out mandatory guidelines for education institutions to protect its students from the heatwave.

The guidelines stated that outdoor activities must stop if the weather is too hot, and activities exposing students to hot weather must also be monitored.

It also emphasised the need for schools to have sufficient drinking water for students.

In addition, schools should be vigilant and cooperate with nearby clinics and hospitals in case students have heat-related complications, according to the statement.

“Schools must stay informed about the hot weather phenomenon in their areas from the media and follow authorities’ recommendations to ensure the health of students and staff,” the statement read.