KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning across several states in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah, forecasting heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds until 6pm today.
In an advisory released at 3.45pm, the department cautioned that adverse weather will affect commuters heading into the evening rush hour across northern, southern, and eastern corridors.
In the northern peninsula, the alert covers the entirety of Perlis and Penang.
In Kedah, stormy conditions are expected across eight districts: Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Kuala Muda, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu.
In Perak, the warning covers Kerian, Larut, Matang dan Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang, and Perak Tengah.
On the east of the peninsula, the advisory encompasses Kuala Krai, Machang, and Pasir Puteh in Kelantan, alongside Besut, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu, and Dungun in Terengganu. In Pahang, affected areas include Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Jerantut, and Kuantan.
Further south, stormy weather is forecast across Johor, covering Tangkak, Segamat, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, and Kulai.
In East Malaysia, the warning spans extensive divisions across Sarawak: Betong, Sarikei, Mukah, Sibu, Bintulu, Limbang, Song in Kapit, as well as Subis and Marudi in Miri.
In Sabah, the alert covers Kudat, the West Coast division, and the Interior division (specifically Beaufort, Sipitang, and Tambunan). It also extends to Sandakan (Kinabatangan and Sandakan) and the Tawau division (Tawau, Kalabakan, and Semporna).
MetMalaysia explained that a thunderstorm warning is triggered when cloud formations indicate imminent heavy rainfall with an intensity exceeding 20 millimetres per hour, or when precipitation is expected to persist for more than an hour.
The department emphasized that these alerts serve as short-term advisories and remain valid for a maximum duration of six hours from the time of issuance.