KOTA KINABALU – Sabahans, especially those living in the east and north coastal areas, have been advised to postpone any outdoor leisure activities such as picnics, camping near the riverbank, hiking or trekking due to the monsoonal surge forecast starting tomorrow.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Ali Ismail said that this is because the monsoonal surge, bringing cold winds from Siberia, is expected to result in continuous rain in some regions in Sabah.
He said that this situation could lead to floods, landslides and other untoward incidents.
“People living in these areas are advised to be on high alert and to exercise vigilance. The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department has prepared by placing related assets in strategic locations earlier,” he said in a statement today.
Ali said that the department also monitored the situation from time to time, apart from coordinating with other agencies under the state and district disaster management committee, to respond in the event of any possible disaster.
On Thursday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a monsoonal surge forecast for December 27 to 30, which, among others, will cause strong winds and rough conditions in the South China Sea.
According to MetMalaysia, the situation could also result in continuous rain in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak from December 28 to 30. – Bernama, December 26, 2021