ALOR STAR: While some may find the current prolonged dry spell brought about by the El Nino phenomenon unpleasant, it's a different story for hawkers selling drinks by the roadside here.
Mohd Yusri Yusof, 38, who sells coconut and sugarcane juices, is enjoying brisk business as consumers prefer the natural drinks to quench their thirst in the scorching temperatures.
"During normal days, it is quite challenging to finish them by the end of the day, but under this hot weather, they are usually sold out in just three hours," he said.
Yusri, who is plying his trade on Jalan Langgar near the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital with his wife Norfazilah Abd Hamid, 36, is grateful for the brisk business brought by the dry spell.
Their operating hours begin daily at 10am, and the couple is selling up to 50 coconuts daily nowadays as opposed to just between 20 and 30 daily prior to this.
"I have also doubled the sugarcane from 60 kilogrammes daily to 120kg during this dry spell.
"Hence, I have increased the order for sugarcane and coconuts to the suppliers to cater to the higher demand," he said.
The couple from Kampung Kubang Lintah, Lepai, who has three young children, said they are saving the extra income they are earning for the children's new school term next month and other expenses.
To endure the current unusual heat temperature, Yusri said they consume a lot of water.
"After the drinks are sold out, we will immediately pack and head home straight since the temperature can get very hot," he said.
Checks at several padi fields in Alor Star showed that the soils are dried up due to the prolonged dry spell caused by the El Nino phenomenon since last month.
Meanwhile, the Malaysia Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) reported that the dry and hot spell in the northern states would reach above 35 degrees.