The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) has issued a high-level alert for five states, Kedah, Perlis, Perak, Pahang, and Kelantan, as temperatures are expected to soar above 37°C this week. This intense heatwave is linked to the tail end of the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused a prolonged dry spell across the northern and eastern regions of the peninsula. Officials are particularly concerned about the increased risk of peatland fires and open burning incidents.

Citizens are being strongly advised to limit outdoor activities between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM and to stay hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Local health clinics have already reported a 15% increase in heat-related consultations over the past 48 hours. BOMBA has also placed its aerial firefighting units on standby, as several small hotspots have already been detected via satellite imagery in remote forest reserves.

In addition to health risks, the dry weather is putting a strain on the national power grid due to the surge in air conditioning usage. Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has urged consumers to use electricity prudently during peak hours to avoid localized power outages. Water authorities are also monitoring reservoir levels closely, though they have stated that water rationing is not yet necessary for the Klang Valley or northern states.