KUALA LUMPURpokeronlineunblocked, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian authorities have issued an alert on Saturday as hot and dry weather has persisted in several areas over the past week.

The country's meteorological department declared a Level 1 alert in the states of Kelantan and Perak and the northern Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak after the temperature stayed between 35 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days.

A Level 2 warning is issued when temperatures reach between 37 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius for three days in a row while a Level 3 alert is issued when temperatures soar past 40 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days, indicating an extreme heatwave.

Separately, local media reported that the water management authority in Penang state has taken steps to mitigate expected water supply disruptions including sending out water tankers to areas affected by water cuts.■