KOTA KINABALU: The hot and dry weather is expected to last until June, said Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti) Minister Datuk Madius Tangau.
Advising the people to reduce their outdoor activity, Madius said the current high temperature would slowly reduce and rainfall would start to increase in May.
At the moment, Alor Setar (Kedah) and Chuping (Perlis) recorded the highest temperature reading at 39.1 and 38.9 degree celcius.
“Due to this, we advise schools in these areas to be closed down however the school closure is up to the Education Ministry.
“We have provided the Ministry with the current data for their attention,” he said at a press conference at the Sabah Meteorology Department here.
This was among the measures taken by the special committee on the extreme hot weather if the heat wave continued.
The moves were part of the new heat wave action plan involving ministries and agencies including Mosti, Education Ministry, Health Ministry, Communication and Multimedia Ministry and the Meteorology Department,
On Friday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junai Tuanku Jaafar had said the National Disaster Management Agency would declare a heat wave emergency if temperatures went beyond 40 degree Celcius.
According to Mosti, temperature readings in Keningau, Sabah and Batu Embun as well as Temerloh in Pahang have exceeded 35 degree Celsius for more than 10 days.