PUTRAJAYA : The government will announce a heat wave emergency if the temperature of an area in the country exceeds 40 degrees celsius for more than seven days.
Schools will also be ordered to shut down temporarily if the temperature exceeds 37 degrees celsius for more than three days.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was based on the action plan to deal with the heat wave, which took effect today.
"This action plan involves various ministries and agencies including the Education Ministry, Health Ministry, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Communication and Multimedia Ministry and Meteorology Department, among others.
"Each ministry and agency has been given a task to do when an area reaches the heat wave threshold.
"If the temperature of an area exceeds 37 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, the Meteorology Department will monitor the temperature reading from time to time at the monitoring stations nationwide.
"The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will also issue heat wave warnings through media statements."
"The schools have been ordered to postpone all co-curriculum, outdoor and sports activities following the dry spell season." he said at a press conference, today.
He said the cabinet today also gave its approval to set up a special committee to tackle the El Nino phenomenon.
He also advised the public to minimise outdoor activities as the heat wave is expected to end only in May.