GEORGE TOWN – Penang needs to brace itself for new challenges stemming from climate change as the adverse effects from global warming are taking root despite years of warning by climate scientists, said state exco member Phee Boon Poh.
“If you ask me, it is an imposing task to stand up to severe weather patterns rather than the temperate effects which the country is known for.
“The weather is no longer moderate due to climate change,” he said.
His comments follow the recent floods in the central and eastern regions of the peninsula.
The unpredictable weather patterns also saw a hot and dry spell in the northern region which sparked the largest ever landfill fire in Pulau Burung, which has taken firefighters more than 30 days to extinguish.
Phee’s remarks also came as the meteorological services department issued a warning that several states would experience “landspouts” (whirlwinds) – similar to the one which devastated parts of Ipoh three days ago.
Many homes and public property were damaged but fortunately no lives were lost following the carnage caused by strong swirling winds.
The senior director of the Meteorological Department’s Centre for Meteorological Instrumentation and Atmospheric Science, Ambun Dindang, was quoted as saying that Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan were among the states which could witness this rare phenomenon.
He added that landspouts also tend to strike coastal areas such as in Bintulu and Miri in Sarawak, Labuan, and western Sabah.
“These are areas where such incidents have occurred before and could be experienced again, that is with the right weather conditions (the presence of cumulonimbus clouds).”
Large cumulonimbus clouds lead to strong convection that forms funnel clouds at the cloud base, which in turn causes a strong wind shear to form a landspout.
In Penang, waterspouts were witnessed a few years ago though their damage was limited as they only travelled along the coastline.
Meanwhile, Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran said the authorities need to step up in facing climate change, or face a constant weather siege which will devastate the country due to ill-preparedness.
He said that as demonstrated by the recent flash floods in the Klang Valley and whirlwinds in Ipoh, the situation is causing unrest among the people.
“These storms are felt now, stronger than ever.
“The floods are as bad as any we have seen. All the damage is the costliest we have ever had to bear, and it will only get worse from here.
“Do not forget that with this kind of weather, we also have to face landslides and even water pollution.
“In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. – The Vibes, February 2, 2022
Additional reporting by Ian McIntyre
