[UPDATED] Parts of east coast set for non-stop thunderstorms: MetMalaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a danger-level warning of continuous, extremely heavy rain for parts of the east coast, namely in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

In a Facebook post today, the weather agency said that Jeli, Kemaman and Kuantan will be facing severe thunderstorms until Friday, December 31, 2021, with rainfall expected to exceed 150mm in 24 hours.

“Extremely heavy rain is expected to occur in the state of Kelantan (Jeli), Terengganu (Kemaman) and Pahang (Kuantan).”

It also issued a “bad weather” continuous rainfall warning for Tanah Merah, Machang, Kuala Krai and Gua Musang in Kelantan; Besut, Hulu Terengganu and Dungun in Terengganu; and Jerantut, Maran and Pekan in Pahang up till Saturday, January 1, 2022.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post in late afternoon today, the department said that Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang are expected to be hit by rainfall of over 150 mm in 24 hours. 

The Kelantan area includes outlying districts of Jeli, Kuala Krai and Gua Musang.

As for Terengganu, the districts that will likely be affected are Besut, Hulu Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman.

Jerantut, Maran, Kuantan and Pekan in Pahang are also listed under the danger level.

Under the “bad weather” category, MetMalaysia stated that it expects thunderstorms and rainfall exceeding 60mm within six hours.

It also warned of continuous downpour (“cautionary”) up till Saturday, January 1, 2022 in the following areas:

• Perlis
• Kedah (Kubang Pasu, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap, Pendang, Sik and Baling)
• Perak (Hulu Perak)
• Kelantan (Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Baru, Bachok and Pasir Puteh)
• Terengganu (Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu and Marang)
• Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Bentong, Temerloh, Bera and Rompin)
• Johor

In East Malaysia, parts of Sabah have also received the “cautionary” level warning for continuous heavy showers up till Sunday, January 2, 2022.

The areas affected in Sabah are: West Coast (Ranau), Tawau (Lahad Datu), Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan, Beluran and Sandakan) and Kudat.

Under the “cautionary” level, MetMalaysia expects continuous rainfall for six hours in a particular area.

The warning was issued at 1.25pm today. – The Vibes, December 30, 2021