Huge floods expected in the next three days
Banjir besar berkemungkinan boleh berlaku dalam tempoh beberapa hari ini susulan fenomena luruan monsun dan dirangsang oleh fenomena La Nina dan negatif IOD yang masih aktif melanda negara. - Gambar hiasan 123RF (Gambar kecil: Azizan)
SHAH ALAM - Large-scale floods could occur in the next few days following monsoon rain with the onset of La Nina and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) that is still active in the country.
Profesor Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah, a meteorological expert at the National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC), stated that this has resulted in an increase in rainfall, which has caused floods, particularly on the East Coast.
"These forecasts from global models such as those at Nullschool.net have predicted continuous heavy rain until midnight Tuesday," he added.
The Malaysia Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had forecast heavy rain in the coming days and issued a danger-level warning on Monday for the states of Kelantan and Terengganu.
"The La Nina phenomenon and the negative IOD which are now happening simultaneously, have caused continuous heavy rain in several states in Malaysia.
"The frequency of heavy rain now has the potential to cause flooding in the next three days," he told Sinar Harian on Monday.
He added that the continuous rain has caused the water level in rivers to rise above the danger level.
"River water could overflow with the continuous and heavy rain. "This could result in heavy floods in several states," he added.
Among the states that could be facing major floods are Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Perak.
Meanwhile, Azizan assured that La Nina, phenomenon, and the negative IOD will be ease by end of the year.This means that there will not be a stimulus for prolonged heavy rain.
"So in the beginning of 2023, the weather is expected to be good and recover, especially in the East Coast states," he added.
According to Azizan, Sabah and Sarawak typically experience prolonged and heavy rains a month after the Peninsula.
"Therefore there are high chances for this phenomenon to continue in East Malaysia," he added.
