KEDAH TO HOLD ISTISQA’ PRAYERS STATEWIDE AMID PROLONGED HEAT

ALOR SETAR, March 24 (Bernama) -- Special Istisqa’ prayers will be held simultaneously across Kedah this Thursday to seek rain following the prolonged hot weather currently affecting the state.

State Housing, Local Government and Health Committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said the special prayers would be organised by the respective district religious offices at suitable times on the day.

“The prayers are being held following the hot weather in the state, including several districts currently at level two (heatwave), with maximum daily temperatures reaching between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius.

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“So far, cloud seeding is being carried out at the federal level, but not yet at the state level, so we are organising these special prayers… we will hold them on Thursday, with each district arranging its own venue,” he told reporters at Istana Anak Bukit here, today.

Meanwhile, he said all district health offices (PKD) and hospitals in Kedah were on alert for cases related to the hot weather, but no cases of heatstroke had been recorded in the state so far.

“In this hot weather, I advise the people of Kedah to take precautionary measures, especially for outdoor activities such as visiting during Hari Raya, open house events, cycling and sports, so these should be reduced,” he said.

Previously, several districts in Kedah, including Pendang, Pokok Sena and Baling, were reported to be at level two (heatwave), while the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) said 15 areas in Peninsular Malaysia were at level one (alert) after recording maximum daily temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.

-- BERNAMA