Extreme heat wave hits Malaysia (Photo: straitstimes.com)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian Ministry of Education ordered schools in Perlis state to close until April 1 and in Kedah state on March 31, as those regions are facing an extreme heat wave.
Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said that the decision was made after temperatures in the two states rose to above 37 degree Celsius.
“We will make a decision if the closure needs to be extended after assessing the weather next week”, he added.
According to the latest report from the country’s Meteorological Department, temperatures in both states could be as high as 39 degree Celsius at the weekend. The country is expecting temperatures of 37-39 degree Celsius over the next few weeks.
Previously, hot weather forced more than 800 schools in Perlis and Kedah states to close on March 21.
A particularly strong El Nino this year has triggered hot, dry weather in Malaysia. The Meteorological Department has forecast that the conditions will continue until May or June.-VNA
