Malaysia bakes under worsening heatwave as temperatures near 40 degrees

The extreme heat has led to a death from heat stoke and heightened the risk of water shortages, spurring the roll out of emergency measures

Singapore is also reeling from the heat with temperatures over 36 degrees recorded in some parts of the city state in recent days

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The sun sets behind the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is using drones to survey peatlands susceptible to catching fire and monitoring dwindling water levels in dams. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:02am, 27 Mar 2024Updated: 11:07am, 27 Mar 2024

Malaysia is rolling out emergency measures to deal with a worsening heatwave, after temperatures edging close to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) claimed a life and threatened crop yields.

Almost half of Peninsular Malaysia has been experiencing peaks of at least 35 degrees for three straight days, according to the latest data from the Meteorological Department, which expects the hot and dry spell to last until mid-April.

The extreme heat has led to the death of a 22-year-old from heat stoke, heightened the risk of water shortages, and caused severe loss of yields on farms.

Construction workers erect scaffolding in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s government is looking into ways to protect construction workers who toil for hours under the hot sun. Photo: EPA-EFE

The country is employing drones to survey peatlands susceptible to catching fire, and monitoring dwindling water levels in dams, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said in an interview on Monday.

The government will also look into ways to protect construction workers who toil for hours under the hot sun.

“For the most foreseeable events, we have the guidelines, systems and policies in place, but we constantly need to adjust them as the magnitude always changes,” Nik Nazmi said.

Climate change could further exacerbate the situation, the minister said.