KUALA TERENGGANU: Pahang is expected to receive the highest rainfall this monsoon season, followed by Terengganu and Kelantan.
Meteorological Department’s director general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said heavy rainfall forecast was expected to hit the country from as early as next week.
This would consequently bring flood to the east coast from November to January, followed by Sabah and Sarawak in January and February.
“There will be four episodes of heavy rains this monsoon season, each ranging from three to five days,” she said, adding that each episode would bring floods, especially during high tide.
Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin will receive the most rainfall, with precipitation level ranging between 780mm and 920mm in December.
Heavy rainfall is expected to hit Terengganu next month, with precipitation level expected to be between 560mm and 850mm in November. However, the volume would drop to between 430mm and 650mm in December, and between 80mm and 110mm in January.
Gayah said next month would be a wet month for Kelantan, with Tumpat, Bachok, Kota Baru, Pasir Putih and Machang expected to be hit with heavy rain, with precipitation levels ranging from 530mm to 790mm.
The precipitation level would see an improvement in the following months, from between 450mm and 670mm in December, and between 80mm and 110mm in January.
Rainfall volume in other parts of the state was expected to be normal, said Gayah.
She advised those living in coastal and low-lying areas in the interior to take precautionary measures in preparation for the monsoon season.
Gayah also said the El Nino weather phenomenon might cushion the impact of this year’s monsoon season.
The start of the monsoon season, she said, could bring an end to the transboundary haze.
“The change in the wind direction will push away the haze from reaching our shores.”