KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning across multiple states, forecasting heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds in parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Sabah, and the Federal Territory of Labuan until 6pm today.
The adverse weather advisory, issued at 3pm this afternoon, takes effect ahead of the evening peak traffic hours.
In the northern and eastern regions of the peninsula, the warning encompasses Perak (Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, and Selama), Kelantan (Jeli and Gua Musang), and Terengganu (Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, and Kemaman).
Pahang faces widespread exposure across ten districts: Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Jerantut, Bentong, Temerloh, Maran, Kuantan, Pekan, and Rompin.
Further south, the alert covers Hulu Langat and Sepang in Selangor, alongside the Federal Territory of Putrajaya. In Negeri Sembilan, stormy weather is expected across Jelebu, Seremban, Port Dickson, Rembau, and Kuala Pilah.
In Johor, the affected southern corridor includes Kulai, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, and Johor Bahru.
In East Malaysia, the advisory covers northern Sarawak, specifically Limbang and the Bario highlands in Miri.
In Sabah, the warning covers extensive territory across five divisions: Kudat, the West Coast, the Interior (Tambunan, Sipitang, Beaufort, Membakut, Keningau, Tenom, and Kuala Penyu), Tawau (specifically Lahad Datu), and Sandakan (Kinabatangan and Paitan). The Federal Territory of Labuan has also been placed on alert.
MetMalaysia explained that a thunderstorm warning is triggered when cloud formations show signs of imminent heavy rainfall with an intensity exceeding 20 millimetres per hour, or when storms are expected to last for more than an hour.
The department emphasized that these advisories serve as short-term alerts and remain valid for a maximum duration of six hours from the time of issuance.
Members of the public, particularly motorists travelling through affected corridors, are advised to exercise heightened caution on slippery roads, steer clear of flood-prone lowlands, and monitor official meteorological updates for real-time adjustments.