Veena Babulal New Straits Times 28 Feb 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIANS have to bear with the current heatwave a little bit longer as temperatures are expected to soar to 38°C at the end of next month or beginning of April.
The Meteorological Department’s National Weather and Geophysics Operations Centre director Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said it was possible for temperatures to reach 38°C due to the hot and dry conditions, usually experienced during the tail-end of the northeast monso on.
“In Perlis, Kedah and Perak, the temperatures are expected to reach 38°C even though the normal temperatures in those areas range from 32°C to 34°C.
“Since it’s only the end of February, we may have to brace for two more months of hot weather before there is some relief, with increased showers nationwide during the inter-monsoon period at the end of April,” he told the New Straits Times here yesterday.
Hisham said temperatures were expected to peak between 2pm and 4pm in Peninsular Malaysia, and 1pm and 3pm in Sabah.
He advised the public to stop open burning and exercise caution when carrying out outdoor activities.
“Drink sufficient amount of water and get updates on the weather from our website, the MetMalaysia social media account and myCuaca app.”
Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd’s customer relationship and communication department head Abdul Raof Ahmad said the hot weather had not affected water production in Selangor, hence there would be no disruption in water supply.
He was commenting on Lembaga Urus Air Selangor’s statement that the water levels in dams were normal despite the hot weather.
Avoid open burning in current dry spell
Bernama New Straits Times 28 Feb 19;
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Johor recorded 1,443 incidents of open burning in the state during the first two months of this year.
Its director Datuk Yahaya Madis said of that, 141 cases involved forest fires; 879 (bush); 188 (farms); and 235 (trash).
"In terms of size, the fire had destroyed 824 hectares of land," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
Yahaya added throughout last year and 2017, about 100,000 hectares of land were destroyed due to 4,050 fire cases reported.
"The fire incidences involved 315 forest areas; 357 farms; 2,472 bush; and 866 trash. Most of the fires occurred at 30 'hotspots' (hotspots) in Johor Baru, Kluang, Muar, Pasir Gudang and Penawar (Kota Tinggi), "he said.
In this regard, he advised the public not to burn rubbish or tires in the open, as well as burning farm waste when clearing up their farm during the dry and hot weather.
"Normally, these can cause fire. When it gets out of control, it will spread and not easy to contain because of such factors as land type and the presence of wind. So, I advise them not to burn things indiscriminately in the open, "he added.
On another development, Yahaya said total of 1,200 firefighters had been instructed to stay on the alert at all time.
In addition, selected fire stations had been equipped with facilities such as vans and four-wheel drive vehicles so that portable water pumps could be brought into areas that are not easy to pass through.
"Through past experience, most of the difficult areas are farms because of the earth surface. Thus, instead of large equipment, we are using small vehicles such as vans and four-wheel drives instead to carry portable water pumps. This will make firefighting much easier, "he added. - BERNAMA
High-risk areas under close watch
austin camoens The Star 1 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: Firemen are keeping an eagle eye out as fires caused by open burning incidents during the current hot spell have surpassed last February’s record by more than 1,000 cases.
“This heatwave will cause dry conditions which in turn will make it easy to spark peat and bush fires.
“Throughout this period, we advise the public to refrain from any open burning activities,” said Fire and Rescue Department director general Datuk Mohammad Hamdan Wahid.
Statistics on the department’s official website stated that there were 3,652 cases of open burning, peat fires and bush fires reported this month compared to 2,648 cases reported during the same time last year.
Mohammad Hamdan said at the state level his personnel were already on standby, monitoring high-risk areas.
“We have also been in contact with other agencies which have access to water tankers in case we need to put out fires in places with lack of water supply.
“It is important for the public to play their part during this time. If you spot any elements of open burning, call us immediately so that we can make sure things do not get out of hand,” he said, adding that people having recreational activities such as camping should be very cautious when lighting up a fire.
Mohammad Hamdan said the hotspots being monitored were in Selangor, Pahang, Perak, Kedah, Johor and Kelantan.
“Even plantations have been advised to refrain from open burning during this period as peat fire is a major concern during the dry weather,” he said.
No-go for outdoor school activities in hot weather
Bernama New Straits Times 1 Mar 19;
CYBERJAYA: The Education Ministry has advised all schools against holding activities outside the classroom in view of the current hot weather.
Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said today the reminder was sent to schools in the middle of last month.
He said he was informed that many schools scheduled to hold their annual sports meet next week had postponed the event.
“The ministry does not encourage outdoor activities in hot weather. Parents must also encourage their children to drink plenty of water and take care of their health,” he told reporters after launching the UNESCO Club and a Model United Nations (MUN) at Sekolah Seri Puteri, here.
MUN or Model UN is an extra-curricular activity in which students role-play delegates to the United Nations (UN) and simulate UN committees.
The Meteorological Department has forecast that the dry spell currently experienced in western Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah is expected to prolong until the end of March.
Maszlee said there had been no cases of heatstroke among students so far.
Referring to the India-Pakistan tensions, he said the ministry had advised Malaysian students in India and Pakistan to keep in touch with the Malaysian high commissions in New Delhi and Islamabad for updates.
He also said that the high commissions and the Foreign Ministry had a standard operating procedure in the event the situation worsens. – Bernama
