BUTTERWORTH - The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a Level 1 heatwave alert for some areas as scorching heat creeps north of the peninsula.

In an advisory issued on the evening of Feb 25, MetMalaysia said the state of Perlis; Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang, Kulim, Baling, Sik and Padang Terap in Kedah; Kuala Kangsar in Perak; and Central Seberang Prai in Penang were under the alert.

According to the website, a Level 1 warning is issued when temperatures at a location are between 35 deg C and 37 deg C for three consecutive days.

Running water has become a prized resource in Kedah, with some businesses suspending operations when taps run dry.

In January, Kedah’s state-owned water utility company Syarikat Air Darul Aman warned residents in Langkawi to brace themselves for dry taps due to the El Nino phenomenon, a problem compounded by leakages in the subsea water pipe that supplies water from the mainland via Perlis.

Hair salon owner Normaliza Che Abdul Tarim said the dry spell is the worst she has endured in her six years in the business in Langkawi, and she has to stop operations whenever there is a disruption in water supply.

“Most of the time, my shop has water on only three days a week,” said Ms Normaliza, 37. “I run my salon from noon to 9pm. There are times when there is water only in the evenings.”

She said she had tried to store water but when there are too many customers, it would not be enough, and she would have to close for the day.

This has been going on since 2023, she added.

The country, particularly the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, is seeing the end of the north-east monsoon in March and the beginning of the El Nino phenomenon. This period usually sees drier and warmer conditions. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK