*This article was originally published on Oct 17, 2022 06:40pm and have been updated factually.
SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) say Nesat Tropical Storm may turn into a typhoon, causing continuous rain in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan until Oct 18.
In a statement it noted that the storm came from the northwest of the Philippines and was expected to move to the west towards Hainan Island.
This led to a strong gust in the South China Sea.
Climotologist Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul said there should be no cause for worry as the typhoon would only be "passing by" above Sabah.
"Malaysia is not part of the typhoon belt thus the reason why Sabah is called Land below the Wind, The wind is the typhoon and Sabah is below it thus why we do not get hit by it.
"We will only get its 'tempias' or its side effects from the typhoon," he told Sinar Daily on Oct 19.
Ramzah is the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation).
According to MetMalaysia, several districts in the Borneo states and Labuan will be affected; namely Pedalaman, Pantai Barat and Kudat in Sabah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang in Sarawak and also Labuan.
Previously on October 15, the 'Category One Strong Wind and Rough Sea warning' was issued during the period of October 18 until October 20.
MetMalaysia said the wind speed for the wind would be in between 40 to 50 kilometre per hour (km/h) and wave as tall as 3.5 metres are expected to occur in the waters of the South China Sea in particular in Condore, Reef North, Layang-layang, Palawan and Labuan