KUALA TERENGGANU: The Meteorological Department has issued a “red” warning due to the prevalence of strong winds and rough sea conditions in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.
The conditions are dangerous for shipping, ferry services, fishing, as well as any form of water activities at the seaside.
Winds are expected to blow at more than 60km per hour (kph) while waves could be higher than 4.5m.
Department director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said the department had sent out a warning to the relevant agencies, such as the Marine Department, fishermen associations and ferry operators, among others, about the wind and choppy sea situations.
She said the water level in coastal areas of the east coast states was expected to rise too.
“We have revised our warning to the third level, or red warning, today (yesterday).
“Picnickers should avoid swimming activities in coastal areas, or do it at their own risk,” she said in an interview.
For a red warning to be issued, the wind speed must be more than 60kph and the wave height must be more than 4.5m.
It is the most dangerous of the three types of warnings issued.
For the second level, or “orange” warning, the wind speed must range between 50kph and 60kph, while the wave height must range between 3.5m and 4.5m.
For the first level, or “yellow” warning, the wind speed must range between 40kph and 50kph, while the wave height must be between 2.5m and 3.5m.
Che Gayah said a red warning had been issued for the waters at Condore, Reef North and Layang-Layang, while orange warnings had been issued for the waters at Samui, Tioman and Bunguran up until today.
“The situation is too dangerous for shipping activities and offshore oil platforms. We will revise the warning level from time to time on our website,” she said.
Checks at several seaside stretches showed that many picnickers were still playing in the waters.
For example, Tok Jembal beach here was dotted with picnickers, despite the strong winds and waves.