KOTA KINABALU: The sweltering heat experienced over the past month is due to a seasonal dry spell.

Meteorologists said that the state was undergoing a normal dry spell that is forecast to end with normal rains beginning this month till October with the ending of the inter-monsoon season this month.

''We are not undergoing a drought or heat wave as perceived by many people, a spokesman for the state Meteorological Department explained.

He said the dry spell was due to low rainfall over the past four to five weeks, though rainfall and thunderstorms have been reported in various parts of the state lately.

The spokesman said that the highest temperature recorded for Kota Kinabalu was 34.3 degrees Celsius against the average of around 34 degrees Celsius during the current dry spell.

The highest temperature recorded in Sabah was 37.6 degrees Celsius in northern Kudat on May 24, 1998 when the state was reeling a long drawn drought.

The country's highest temperature recorded was 40.1 degrees Celsius in Chuping (Perlis) on April 9, 1998.

The spokesman urged people to avoid overexposing to direct sunlight whenever possible and also consume plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration.

The Star/Asia News Network