MetMalaysia warns that extreme weather can still occur outside typical monsoon areas, urging the public to stay alert to official warnings and follow evacuation orders.
KUALA LUMPUR: Extreme weather can still occur in areas not typically affected by the Northeast Monsoon.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director-general Ambun Dindang said heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds may happen if atmospheric conditions are conducive.
He said this means the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak could also experience such conditions.
The main factors influencing extreme weather are wind direction, speed and convergence in a particular area.
Ambun said the most concerning factor during the monsoon season is the presence of monsoon surges.
“Throughout the Northeast Monsoon season, the most concerning factor is the presence of monsoon surges, as they can cause continuous rainfall lasting between one and three days,” he said during an interview on Bernama TV.
Such prolonged, moderate to heavy rainfall increases the risk of disasters if conditions persist.
MetMalaysia issues warnings for thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds under three severity levels.
These are Alert (Yellow), Warning (Orange) and Danger (Red).
The alert level indicates a potential risk that still requires serious public attention.
Although the monsoon is expected to end in March, monsoon surges can occur at any time.
Ambun said these surges require continuous monitoring.
MetMalaysia conducts 24-hour weather monitoring and issues early warnings when monsoon surges are detected.
He advised the public to always obtain the latest weather information from official MetMalaysia sources.
He also urged compliance with authorities’ instructions, including evacuation orders, to reduce safety risks.
