ALOR STAR: While some might feel unpleasant by the prolonged dry spell brought by the El-Nino phenomenon, it is a different story for hawkers selling drinks by the roadside.
Mohd Yusri Yusof, 38, who sells coconut and sugarcane juices, is enjoying a brisk business as consumers prefer natural drinks to quench their thirst as the mercury climbs.
"During the normal days, it was quite challenging to sell all by the end of the day. But, in this hot weather, I can sell everything in just three hours," he said.
Yusri, who is plying his trade in Jalan Langgar near the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital with his wife Norfazilah Abd Hamid, 36, are grateful for the brisk business brought by the dry spell.
Their business starts at 10am, and the couple is selling up to 50 coconuts daily of late, compared to 20 to 30 every day before this.
"I have also doubled the sugarcane sales from 60 kilogrammes (kg) daily to 120kg during this dry spell.
"Hence, I have increased the order for sugarcane and coconuts with the suppliers to cater for higher demand," he said.
The couple from Kampung Kubang Lintah, Lepai, who has three young children, said they are saving the extra income for the children's new school term next month and other expenses.
To endure the heat, Yusri said they consumed a lot of water.
"After selling all the drinks, 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 have dried up due to the prolonged dry spell.
Meanwhile, the Malaysia Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) reported that the dry and hot spell in the northern states would reach above 35 Celsius.