Malaysians could face more flash floods as wet weather predicted till mid-May

SHAH ALAM - Malaysians could face further incidents of flash floods as wet weather sets to batter the nation in tandem with the monsoon transition phase from March 14th to mid-May of this year.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director general, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said, the country will receive weak winds from various directions which will lead to thunderstorms that brings heavy rain and strong winds in a short period of time.

These incidents occurs mainly in the early and late evenings in most states on the west coast and outback of the Peninsula, west Sabah, west and central of Sarawak.

This condition can cause flash floods as well as damage to weak structures.

"Most of the time the sea or water conditions are expected to be calm through out the Monsoon Transition except during thunderstorms and strong winds," he said in a statement.

However, focus should be given to the condition of the river, especially in rural areas where the phenomenon of heavy currents, headwaters and river overflow can highly occur if heavy rains continues for a long time.

In turn, such situations can result in flash floods, mudslides and even landslides.

"Flash floods on the coast are highly possible to happen if heavy rains occur simultaneously with the occurrence of high tides," said Muhammad Helmi.

Meanwhile, another thunderstorm alert issued at 2.10pm today, MetMalaysia forecasted that several areas in Malaysia will experience a heavy downpour until 7pm today.

These places includes Kedah ((Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Sik and Baling), Perak (Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang and Muallim, Selangor (Hulu Selangor, Gombak, Petaling and Hulu Langat).

Thunderstorms are also expected until 5pm today in Pahang (Pekan and Rompin),Melaka, Johor, Sabah (Kuala Penyu and Beaufort) and West Coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Kota Belud).