By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Sept 13 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a strong weather warning for six Selangor districts until 5pm today.
In a warning issued at 2.25pm, it said the affected areas include Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak, Petaling and Hulu Langat.
The agency said similar weather conditions are also expected to occur in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kedah (Langkawi, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu), Perak (Kerian, Larut, Matang dan Selama, Manjung, Perak Tengah, Bagan Datuk and Hilir Perak) and Terengganu (Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Hulu Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kemaman).
Meanwhile, other areas include Pahang (Rompin), Negeri Sembilan (Jelebu, Seremban and Kuala Pilah) as well Johor (Kluang, Mersing, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru).
“In East Malaysia, Sarawak’s affected areas include Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu and Miri. In Sabah, the areas are Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Ranau and Kota Belud,” MetMalaysia said.
The agency issues warnings whenever signs indicate a thunderstorm with a rain intensity exceeding 20 mm that is close to or is expected to occur for more than an hour.
A thunderstorm warning is a short-term warning valid for a period not exceeding six hours for a single release.