KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 -- Parts of northern Malaysia are baking under escalating heat conditions, with Kota Setar in Kedah continuing to record Level 2 heatwave status as temperatures climb as high as 40degC.

According to The New Straits Times, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the district has been experiencing sustained daily maximum temperatures ranging between 37degC and 40degC, placing it in the "heatwave" category.

Elsewhere, early morning readings at 6am showed eight areas under Level 1 (Alert), with temperatures expected to peak between 35degC and 37degC.

These include Perlis and several districts across Kedah - Kuala Muda, Kubang Pasu, Pokok Sena, Pendang, Padang Terap, Sik and Baling - signalling wides...