“This means that when dry spells occur, the heat becomes more intense and noticeable,” he added. Mohd Fadhil said Malaysia is gradually moving towards a “new normal” of hotter and more unpredictable weather. “While we may not experience extreme heatwaves like those in the Middle East, we are seeing more hot spells, drier periods and increased climate variability,” he said. Mohd Fadhil said large urban and industrial areas such as the Klang Valley and Johor Baru are particularly vulnerable due to the urban heat island effect. “For Malaysia, this may manifest more as frequent hot spells and heat stress rather than desert-like heatwaves, but the risks are rising,” he said.

Source: The Star March 27, 2026 11:45 UTC