4 states in Peninsula record highest temperature readings

Four states in the peninsula recorded the highest temperature readings in the country on Saturday as a result of El Nino.

The locations were Chuping in Perlis (39.5 degrees Celsius), Alor Setar in Kedah (39.1), Ipoh in Perak (37.5), and Temerloh in Pahang (37.4).

"The readings almost reached danger level, 40 degrees Celsius, which can cause heatstroke," Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Madius Tangau told reporters after a function here Sunday.

He said the ministry would continue to monitor developments and share updates on the weather for the attention and action of other ministries as well as the public.

In Kota Bharu, the hot and dry weather is feared to affect contract farming productivity.

"This is because vegetables, corn and fruits need sufficient water to thrive," said Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama), Kelantan deputy director (Operations) Fauzi Mohamed.

He said Fama was supplying water from rivers and canals to the farms.

"For now, the water is still sufficient," he told Bernama after the signing of a Forward Agreement and a contract farming-retail outlet programme here Sunday.

Fama signed the agreement with 129 of the 300 contract farmers in the state to increase production.