KUALA LUMPUR: The current hot spell in the peninsula is only temporary and likely to ease from next week, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
Its weather forecasting director Saw Bun Liong said rising temperatures of up to 36.2 degrees Celcius were caused by tropical storm Aere in northern Philippines that blew hot air to this country.
“This has reduced the air humidity and rainfall in the region,” he told Bernama here.
He said the hot spell was, however, normal in May and the temperatures recorded were lower than in the same month in 1998.
During that time, the temperature recorded in Chuping was 38.9˚C, Alor Setar (37.5˚C), Lubuk Merbau (37˚C), and Melaka and Kuala Krai (38˚C), he said.
He advised the public to avoid open burning, reduce outdoor activities and drink a lot of water.
Meanwhile, the air-conditioner has become the most demanded product at electrical stores in Kuala Lumpur.
Cheras Courts Mammoth assistant manager Abdul Rahim Mohammad said they had received a lot of orders for air-conditioners the past three days.
Sen Heng Kepong branch also showed improved sales of the product last week, said its sales staff Mohd Hairani Abdul Wahab. – Bernama