Malaysia ready to face extreme heat wave

The global heat wave or Equinox phenomenon currently faced by Malaysia is expected to continue until April.

This is not the first of such phenomenon as it takes place twice a year in March and September where the sun is located directly above the equator with the Peninsular being hit with the highest degree of heat.

Director of the Institute of Geospatial Science & Technology, Professor Dr Mazlan Hashim said that the phenomenon will cause a longer daytime period compared to normal times.

Thus with the thinning of the ozone layer, more heat could be felt following the heat increase between 12pm to 3pm.

“During this equinox , the sun is nearer to the equator. So what happens is that we will be facing a longer daytime between 16 to 34 minutes but we will know the exact amount if calculation is done, but it is between 16 to 34 minutes.

“When the daytime is longer, the expose to sun is more and with the current situation which sees a thinner ozone layer, the temperature will increase but until now, no warnings have been inssued if the equinox is at its critical position or not.

“We hope that this is not the case but the temperature will increase a bit compared to normal times,” said Dr Mazlan.

Following this situation, the public are advised to avoid from being exposed to the sun and to drink a lot of water.

“So, during this time, it is advised not to expose oneself to the sun. And we also advise for the public to consume more water,” said Dr Mazlan.