17 areas at ‘alert’ level as hot weather persists

2026-03-24 - 04:00

Raub and Jerantut in Pahang, along with 15 other areas, have been issued a Level 1 (alert) heat warning, while three areas in Kedah are under a Level 2 (heatwave) alert. (EPA Images pic) PETALING JAYA: A total of 17 areas in Peninsular Malaysia are under Level 1 alert, while three remain at Level 2 (heatwave), according to the meteorological department (MetMalaysia). In its 6am update, the department said Raub and Jerantut in Pahang were the latest areas to be placed under Level 1, bringing the total to 17. Other affected areas are Kuala Lumpur and Perlis; Sik, Pokok Sena, Kubang Pasu, Langkawi, Kuala Muda, Kulim and Bandar Baharu in Kedah; northeast and northern Penang; as well as Hulu Perak, Selama, Kinta and Kuala Kangsar in Perak. The three Level 2 areas, unchanged from yesterday, are Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling in Kedah. A Level 1 alert is issued when daily maximum temperatures of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius persist for at least three consecutive days. Earlier reports indicated that the hot spell in the northern region is expected to continue until April, when the inter-monsoon period begins. This phase typically lasts until June before transitioning into the southwest monsoon. The latest hot weather status is available on the MetMalaysia website.