PETALING JAYA: Northern Malaysia continues to swelter under relentless heat, with 17 loca­lities issued heatwave alerts. The dry conditions up north have led to dwindling dam water levels, with the Muda dam in Kedah the hardest hit at just 7.97% capacity as of March 22. Timah Tasoh in Perlis is at 38.69% capacity, while water levels have reached caution levels at the Ahning and Beris dams in Kedah, and Bukit Merah in Perak. MetMalaysia has forecast a rainfall deficit exceeding 35% over three- and six-month periods due to slightly dry conditions expected to persist in western Sarawak from this March to August. According to climatologist Prof Emeritus Fredolin Tangang, this year could be the hottest on record, with El Nino expected to return between July and August, and intensifying towards year-end.

Source: The Star March 24, 2026 02:45 UTC