SINGAPORE, May 14 (Bloomberg): South-East Asia continues to grapple with blistering heat amid reports of record temperatures and cases of heatstroke that further add to signs of extreme weather changes.
Singapore posted its highest temperature in 40 years at 37C (98.6F) on Saturday and the warm and dry conditions will continue, the National Environment Agency said in a Facebook post. The temperature also surpassed the previous record for May of 36.7C, recorded last year, the agency said.
In Malaysia, as many as 14 heatstroke cases were reported by the Health Ministry as of Friday, and the government expects the number of victims to increase given the hot weather, which will likely run through August, Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni told reporters Saturday according to state media Bernama.
"The situation is still under control and can be accommodated in health facilities,” Lukanisman said. "Ministry facilities and hospitals are prepared to receive heatstroke victims and heat cramp victims.”
The country recently reported the death of a child from heatstroke, which prompted the Health Ministry to issue a public advisory.
Dangerous Heat
With scientists warning 2023 will likely be another year marked by dangerously high temperatures, signs of strain are emerging across Asia as the heat wave that started in April continues to blast through the region, following a pattern of increasing extreme weather caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Vietnam reported its highest ever temperature of 44.2C early this month and the Philippines cut classroom hours after the heat index reached the "danger” zone.
Expectations of shrinking palm oil supplies due to the scorching heat keep investors on edge as nearly all of the world’s oil palm is grown in Southeast Asia.
Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking also warned that the threat of an El Nino-induced drought later this year could drive up food prices.
With climate change and a looming shift in patterns toward El Nino conditions, heat waves and large storms could become more frequent or intense.
Bangladesh and Myanmar are evacuating hundreds of thousands of people as Cyclone Mocha is set to make landfall Sunday, potentially causing widespread destruction to one of the most vulnerable areas in the region. - Bloomberg
Taps flowing again for almost all water consumers in Penang
Penang water cuts from May 14 until 17 due to sudden drop in Sungai Muda water level
https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/penang-water-cuts-from-may-14-until-17-due-to-sudden-drop-in-sungai-muda-water-level/ar-AA1ba9Xl?cvid=2d31eb69041e418eb047e9ee7b252961&ei=14
GEORGE TOWN: Certain areas in the state will face water supply disruption from Sunday (May 14) until Wednesday (May 17) due to a sudden drop in the water level at Sungai Muda.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), in a statement, said the sudden extreme drop in water level at 5am on Sunday in Sungai Muda at the Lahar Tiang Intake inlet has affected treated water production at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
"We are drawing water from the expanded Mengkuang Dam as an emergency response measure.
"However, the volume of water being drawn from the dam is insufficient to make up for the shortfall from Sungai Muda.
"The Sungai Dua WTP cannot produce the normal volume of about 1,000 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water to meet water demand in Seberang Prai and some areas on Penang Island.
"Production has been limited to between 600 MLD and 650 MLD until raw abstraction at Lahar Tiang can be restored to 100%.
"This is subject to the recovery of the Sungai Muda water level,” it added.
It said that consumers in some areas in the state will also experience low water pressure until Wednesday.
"Consumers who still have water supply are advised to store water for use over this period of time.
