The death of a runner from heatstroke after a Penang hill run event has put a spotlight on the rising risks of soaring temperatures in Malaysia, as authorities report a spike in heat-related illnesses and are seeding clouds to trigger rains in the country’s drought-hit northern region.

The death of the 41-year-old, the island’s first-ever confirmed heatstroke fatality linked to a sporting event, comes as temperatures in Malaysia soar to the mid-30s degrees Celsius.

The man from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, completed the 30km (18 miles) course on April 25, then collapsed from heatstroke. He was rushed to a hospital but died a day later, according to Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Zen.

The event’s organisers had all the relevant approvals, including provision of medical teams for emergencies and water stations along the running route, he added.

“We advise the public taking part in sports to remain aware of their health levels, stay hydrated, and avoid pushing themselves beyond their physical limits,” he said at a press conference in Penang on Monday.

On Tuesday, the Malaysian health ministry said 56 cases of heat-related illnesses nationwide had been recorded since January 1, including two deaths – the runner and a two-year-old boy left in a vehicle in Kelantan.