KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has sounded a midday thunderstorm advisory for multiple states across Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, warning of torrential rain, lightning, and gusty winds until 2.00pm today.
Issued at 11.00am, the weather alert focuses heavily on the northern corridor of the peninsula. In Kedah, stormy conditions are expected across eight districts, namely Kota Setar, Pendang, Yan, Kuala Muda, Bandar Baharu, Kulim, Baling, and Sik. The advisory concurrently blankets the entire state of Penang, as well as northern Perak localities spanning Selama, Kerian, and Larut Matang.
Further south in the peninsula, adverse weather is forecast to lash Melaka Tengah and Jasin in Melaka, alongside Tangkak and Muar in northern Johor.
cross East Malaysia, Sarawak accounts for the widest geographic coverage under the current bulletin. Affected zones include Sebuyau in the Samarahan division, alongside Pantu, Lingga, and Sri Aman within the Sri Aman division, and Betong. The advisory also extends into central and northern Sarawak, blanketing Selangau in Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Tatau in the Bintulu division, and Subis and Miri in the Miri division.
MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warnings when satellite and radar indicators detect rainfall intensity exceeding 20mm per hour that is either imminent or expected to persist beyond an hour. The department noted that these short-term advisories carry a maximum validity of six hours from the time of release.
Members of the public across the affected localities have been advised to exercise caution against localised flash floods, sudden wind squalls, and falling branches or roadside trees during peak downpours.