His comment came as the health ministry confirmed that an 11-year-old had died of heat stroke with severe dehydration in Kelantan on Tuesday, while the death of a 19-month-old toddler was not due to a heat stroke but from “severe dehydration with underlying sepsis.”

The ministry said there were three other cases of illnesses related to the hot weather.

Zahid said he had been informed by the meteorological department that the heat wave would end in mid-May, Bernama reported.

He hoped the people would be more careful and take preventive measures to protect their health. “Those in areas affected by the heat wave should drink more water.”

Asked if there was a need to extend the school holidays and what measures the government was taking about the heat wave, he said: “I think it (school holiday extension) should be discussed at the Cabinet meeting.”

He said the secretariat of the national disaster management committee, which he heads, had already met and implemented coordinated efforts with various related ministries and agencies.

“We have coordinated efforts with state governments, the health ministry and local authorities, not only to monitor but to help those suffering from heat stroke due to climate change,” he told reporters at the Pontian Umno division’s Aidilfitri open house in Benut here today.

Earlier today, the education ministry said education offices and all educational institutions had been reminded to protect the welfare, health and safety of schoolchildren and students during the hot and hazy weather.

Among them are to curtail or stop outdoor classroom activities if the weather is too hot, and when air pollutant index readings exceed 100; ensure adequate drinking water supplies, and encourage students to bring their own water.