KUALA LUMPUR: People in the east coast have been told to brace for floods, as heavy rain brought by the monsoon weather is expected to persist until year end.
Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahar said if the downpour continues for more than three consecutive days, floods would inevitably occur in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, as well as Johor.
“The department is not expecting a severe floods situation like last year, as the weather, this year is not influenced by phenomena such as El Nino and La Nina.
“Nonetheless, if the rainfall continues for more than three days in a row, or even between close intervals, it is likely that some districts will be flooded,” he said when contacted by the New Straits Times.
He said severe thunderstorm warning has been issued in several districts in Kelantan including Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Machang, Tanah Merah, and Gua Musang.
Other districts on alert include Pahang (Jerantut, Kuantan, Pekan, Rompin, Temerloh and Maran), Mersing and Kota Tinggi in Johor; as well as Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, and Pokok Sena in Kedah.
However, Alui said weather would improve by January, but torrential rain would soon make its way to Sabah and Sarawak.
He advised the public to install the mobile application myCuaca to keep tabs on the weather forecast or follow the department's Twitter account @malaysianmet.
The public can visit the department’s website www.met.gov.my, or contact via text message at 15888, or call the 1300 22 1638 hotline.
The annual east coast monsoon season, originating in the Pacific Ocean, generally runs from mid-October to late March.
Last year, at least 1200 people in Kelantan were evacuated to flood centres after their homes were inundated with flood waters, which was believed to have worsened by the logging and land-clearing activities.
In 2014, at least 20,000 were moved to be relief shelters after the flood worsened in Kelantan, which was the worst the country has ever seen in almost half a century.