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Showing posts with label heatwave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heatwave. Show all posts

Wednesday 3 April 2024

Caution – extreme weather ahead (Poll Inside), Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

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Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

 Authorities on standby, public urged to stay alert as inter-monsoon period begins

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia enters the inter-monsoon period, authorities have advised the public to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.

Amid occurrences of heavy rain and strong winds, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the public has to be fully alert to changes in the weather.

“Avoid being near water bodies for the time being,” he said, adding that the inter-monsoon period could cause water surges.

ALSO READ: From heatwave to wet days – but El Nino effects to stay longer

“The strong winds and rainfall from the inter-monsoon can also cause tree branches to break; hence, the public should avoid being in areas or park their vehicles where there are trees with high-canopy loads, such as raintrees,” he said when contacted.

Nor Hisham added that instructions have been issued for his department’s officers to patrol recreational areas, especially those near water bodies.

On preparations for the coming Hari Raya celebrations, he said the department will be on standby with the police at locations across the North-South Expressway, East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT 1), and East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT 2).

He added that 30% of the department staff’s leave has been frozen.

ALSO READ: Long wait for rain finally ends

Civil Defence Force (APM) Assistant Commissioner (PA) Sharudin Md Zain said all APM operation centres nationwide have been on standby since March 29, when the inter-monsoon began.

He said some 154 cases of fallen trees were recorded from March 29-31.

This marked a more than threefold increase in the number of cases compared with the same period last year, said Sharudin.

“This stark increase is due to the heavy rain and strong winds that occur in the later parts of the day,” he said, adding that 874 snakes were also caught between March 29 and March 31.

ALSO READ: Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

Sharudin, who is the APM disaster management and operations director, also advised the public to take the necessary precautions before carrying out outdoor recreational activities.

“Plan for the location and prepare an emergency kit. Always monitor the situation there and inform the nearest police station of your route and activities planned.

“Check the trees when you are having outdoor activities, and make sure the grounds don’t show signs of erosion.

ALSO READ: Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

“Also take note that your camping site may be a habitat for wild animals,” he said, adding that the public should call 999 in case of emergencies.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said heavy rainfall and strong winds can potentially occur during the inter-monsoon period, especially during later parts of the day.

“These weather conditions have the potential to cause thunderstorms, uproot trees and cause structural damage,” it said in a statement.

Malaysia’s transition to the inter-monsoon period marked the end of the northeast monsoon, which began on Nov 11 last year.

POLL: Are you taking precautions against weather changes?


Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

Beating the heat: A man cooling down at a fountain on a hot day in Kuala Lumpur in this file photo. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star

JOHOR BARU: Three men in Johor have suffered from heat stroke, says state executive councillor Ling Tian Soon.

The Johor health and environment committee chairman said the cases occurred during the heatwave from January to March.

“One of the victims suffered from heat stroke while hiking. The other two victims are an army trainee and an oil palm estate worker.

“Two are currently hospitalised and one required outpatient treatment. Their condition has since stabilised,” he said when interviewed here yesterday.

He advised the public to continuously take precautionary measures as the Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) recorded high temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C in districts like Muar, Tangkak and Segamat in the past three days.

Ling said in addition to the hot weather, Johor is currently in the monsoon transition stage, so rainfall may increase.

“During this time, it is usually hotter in the morning until afternoon. There will be a short period of rainfall in the late afternoon and evening, which could cause flash floods and strong winds.

“MetMalaysia also forecast average levels of rainfall from April until July,” he added.

Asked to comment on an advisory issued by Singapore’s National Environment Agency about extreme levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Ling said the situation in Johor was still manageable.

On March 28, a Singapore English daily reported that the UV index in the city-state first entered the extreme band at about 12.15pm on March 27, with a reading of 11. It climbed to a high of 12 at about 12.45pm.

The UV index describes the level of solar UV radiation at the earth’s surface, and the maximum reading is 15.

Ling said the matter did not arise when he chaired the Johor environment action committee on Sunday, which was also attended by the state Environment Department and MetMalaysia.

However, he advised the public to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

Ling said if this is unavoidable, they should wear sunscreen, long sleeves or use an umbrella for protection.

“For those fasting, I urge them to hydrate themselves after breaking fast until their sahur (pre-dawn meal) to avoid dehydration,” he said.

After scorching heat for about two months, Sabah is finally experiencing light rainfall in several parts of the state.

Drizzle from three-day cloud seeding over Papar, Lahad Datu and Tawau were reported over the past few days.

Areas like Sandakan, Nabawan, Penampang and around Kota Kinabalu also saw light rain. It is unclear whether this was due to cloud seeding or other natural phenomena, but the state Meteorological Department reported a 67% success rate from the cloud-seeding exercise.

Meteorologists also forecast the current dry spell to lift with the setting in of the inter-monsoon season this month.

Sabah Meteorological Department director Amirzudi Hashim said the period is expected to continue until May.

“During this season, the country will receive weak winds, resulting in thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds that will only last a while,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said these conditions often occur in the evening or early in the night in the west and interior parts of Peninsular Malaysia, west coast of Sabah as well as south and central Sarawak.

Amirzudi warned the public of flash floods, fallen trees and the destruction of unstable structures.

“The hot and dry spell is forecast to slowly improve by mid-April,” he said

Related stories:

Long wait for rain finally ends

From heatwave to wet days – but El Nino effects to stay longer

Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

Monday 22 May 2023

How to minimise the risk of snakes entering homes

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PETALING JAYA: The scorching heat has forced snakes to seek refuge in human homes.

Apart from dark corners, shoes are also a potential shelter for the reptiles, as seen in a video that went viral on social media earlier this month.

Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Edwin Galan Teruki said the department had received 13,895 distress calls from the public seeking help to remove snakes and other wildlife from their premises in the first four months of this year.

The figure shows an increasing trend, compared to 12,013 calls received in the same period last year.

Edwin advised the public to remain calm if they spot snakes in their homes. 


“Do not be rash or panic as this may threaten the snake and trigger its defence mechanism to attack.

“Be it venomous or not, be cautious and try to confine the snake in one area to make it easier for catchers to locate and remove it.

“Keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance,” he said, adding that the public could call the 999 emergency hotline for help.

Edwin added that good housekeeping could help deter snakes from entering and hiding in homes.

“Do not keep food waste in the open as it can attract rats, frogs or even lizards, which are prey for snakes.

“If you have livestock or pets, it is advisable to set up safety nets around their enclosures,” Edwin said.

In the case of a snake bite, limit movement, cover the wound with a clean cloth and never attempt to suck the venom out, he said.

As it can be difficult to determine whether a snake is venomous or not, Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia president and chief executive officer Andrew Sebastian said it is best to avoid close contact altogether.

“Take a picture of the snake. In the case of a snake bite, the photo can help identify the type of snake and the correct anti-venom,” he said.

Malaysia Civil Defence Force disaster management and operations director Col (PA) Sharudin Md Zain said houses, trash disposal areas, water outlets, shoes and toilet bowls could be the hiding place for snakes.

“Fixing safety nets at windows or ventilation and water outlets can be an option.

“Snakes may also be hiding inside shoes or the toilet, so check them before use,” he said, adding that the public should avoid touching or holding the animal.

Contrary to popular belief, Malaysian Nature Society’s Selangor Branch Herpetofauna Group lead coordinator Chan Yik Khan meanwhile dismissed the myth that sulphur could keep snakes away.

“Sulphur does not repel snakes. The most effective method is to make sure that the surroundings do not appeal to them.

“Remove unused flower pots and declutter the area,” he said.

Chan said snakes are generally timid creatures and prefer tight and dark spaces to hide in when they are not foraging.

“Snakes are incredibly adapted to urban environments and they are likely living around you already.

“This is why some people occasionally find snakes resting on their curtain frame,” he said.

He said the most common urban snakes include the common wolf snake, the reticulated pythons and a couple of rat snakes.

With regard to heat, Chan said snakes are exothermic animals, which means their body temperature is regulated by the external temperature in their environment.

“Snakes will try finding shelter under cooler conditions – which includes tiled homes, as compared to urban areas devoid of shade.

“Being able to escape from the blazing sun is vital for their survival or they may overheat and die,” he said. 

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Related posts:

 

Reptiles sneak indoors to stay cool

  Unwelcome visitors: Officials removing snakes and a monitor lizard from houses in Penang     GEORGE TOWN: They come, they see, they hide....

Saturday 23 March 2019

Equinox to have small impact on Malaysia?

https://youtu.be/TDBi2s4J2A4 

PETALING JAYA: Equinox, a phenomenon where the sun is positioned on top of the head in the equatorial region, is expected to have a weaker impact on Malaysia.

“The effects of equinoxes on the equator area are generally lower than the effects of monsoon and climate patterns,” said Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahari.

The equatorial region, he said, receives maximum sunlight throughout the year.

“Due to the constant sunlight it receives, the region will only experience a small variation in its climate due to equinoxes,” he said when contacted about how equinox will affect the weather in Malaysia.

Alui was responding to a message that has gone viral via WhatsApp advising people to drink more water between March 22 and 28.

“Drink more water for the next seven days (March 22-28) due to equinox. The body gets dehydrated very fast during this period. Please share this news to maximum groups,” the message reads.

Alui said equinox happens twice a year, either on March 21 or 22, or Sept 22 or 23.

In Malaysia, it happens on March 21 and Sept 23.

Interestingly, MetMalaysia last year also had to refute news on the Equinox phenomenon.

The department had then said a hike in temperature was expected to take place but would not result in a heat wave as claimed in the message.

Alui said based on the monitoring of thermal wavelength status, as at 4.40pm yesterday, there was no area in the country experiencing heat waves, where the temperature exc­eeds 37°C in three consecutive days.

“However, there are some areas that are on the alert because the temperature in the area reaches 35 to 37°C, namely Chuping, Kota Setar, Pendang, Sik, Hulu Perak, Kinta, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Kuala Krai , Gua Musang, Jerantut, Maran, Tangkak, Sri Aman and Kapit,” he said.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s professor of climatology and oceano­­graphy Dr Fredolin Tangang said the hot weather in the Peninsula, especially the west coast, is expected to improve as the inter-Monsoon arrives.

“Usually, there will be thunderstorms in the afternoon and late afternoon. But in Sabah and the northern part of the Peninsula, the hot spell may continue until April,” he said.

The MetMalaysia website showed that several states in the country are expected to see thunderstorms in the coming week, starting today.

For example, in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya and Negri Sembilan, it is expected to see thunderstorms from March 23 to 25 and on March 28. No rain is expected on March 26 and 27.

There will be thunderstorms from March 23 to 28 in Penang.

In Sarawak, there will be no rain from March 23 to 25 and there will be thunderstorms over inland areas from March 26 to 28.

In the meantime, Malaysians are doing their best to counter the effects of the hot weather.

Lai Yuen Theng, who works in a daycare centre in Kepong, Selangor, said it was preparing porridge and herbal tea for the children to help “cool” their bodies.

Property agent Melissa Chen, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, said she will try her best to arrange house viewings for her clients in the morning as the weather is extremely hot these days.

“I will try my best to stay indoors. Last week, I brought clients to four places to look at condominium units. The temperature that day was about 37°C. I fell sick after dri­ving and walking under the hot sun,” she said.

She also expected a spike in the electricity bill as she used the air-conditioner more frequently.

By Yimie Yong The Star


Related:

Equinox - Wikipedia


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