Many government agencies have declared local emergencies and advised safety measures to protect residents from the heat, and some countries have closed schools or shortened their hours.
The areas of Anggerek Desa, Bangar, Labi, Lumapas, Batang Duri, Lekiun, and the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan have been experiencing excessive hot weather and reduced precipitation since 21 March, with maximum temperatures reaching at least 35 °C (95 °F).
[6] In late April, the hot weather caused by the heat wave contributed to an ammo explosion that destroyed a military warehouse, barracks, and an office building, damaged trucks and 25 homes, and killed 20 Cambodian soldiers in Kampong Speu.
[7] Timor-Leste has been experiencing drought since February in 10 of 14 municipalities, namely Aileu, Ainaro, Atauro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Cova Lima, Dili, Manatuto, Oecusse, and Viqueque.
[11] Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has categorized the hot weather as a "seasonal transition" rather than a "heat wave," since 76% of the country was still experiencing rain when the highest temperature was recorded in Palu, Central Sulawesi at 37.8 °C (100.0 °F).
[19] The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) worked with local agencies to carry out three days of cloud seeding in water catchment areas of Papar, Lahad Datu, and Tawau to increase river water levels and meet domestic needs around Sabah.
[22] Mone Hla villagers in Khin-U Township have reported health problems and water shortages since their homes were torched by junta soldiers on 28 March.
Due to El Niño season in the Philippines, forecasters predicted that dangerous heat indices in at least 32 areas would continue until mid-May.
[31] On 7 May, the PAGASA declared that the worst of the record-high temperatures was over, expecting thunderstorms to hit the country by the second half of May and for La Niña to prevail by June, allowing Angat Dam, which supplies water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces, to recover slowly.
[37] In late April, residents from the Nakhon Sawan providence held a rain ritual (traditionally done with a live cat) using a Doraemon plushie in a cage.
[41][42] In the province of Đồng Nai, mass fish deaths blanketed the entire view of a 300-hectare reservoir due to dwindling water levels caused by the heat wave.