Stay safe of Malaysia's hot spell and haze

In a early statement , Zaliha urged the public to take precautions to protect themselves from the hot and hazy weather. She advised people to wear a suitable face mask to protect themselves from the haze and to use an umbrella and hat to avoid direct exposure to the heat.

Zaliha also reminded the public to limit strenuous activities and keep hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water, even when not feeling thirsty. She suggested taking frequent baths to keep cool and to avoid wearing thick, dark, and tight fabrics to deal with the heat.

To improve indoor air quality, she recommended keeping windows closed, using air purifiers or air filters, and opting for the air recirculation mode when in vehicles.

“Seek immediate treatment if not feeling well,” she added.

On Saturday, natural resources, environment, and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad warned that Malaysia is expected to experience prolonged hot weather from now until August, following the monsoon transition season. He said that the heatwave will affect all states, with those in the north and east coasts being affected the most severely.

Nik Nazmi also warned that the haze situation is expected to be more serious this year than in the past three years due to the resumption of plantation and industrial activities. Air quality dropped to “unhealthy” levels in parts of Peninsular Malaysia on Saturday, with cities such as Penang, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, and Segamat affected overnight.

According to the environment department’s hourly API, air quality levels were recorded as 149-151 throughout the day in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur; 151-138 in Segamat, Johor; and 112-102 in Tanah Merah, Kelantan.