KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is expected to experience a decrease in the rate of rainfall in November.
This, the Department of Earth Sciences and Environment chair Professor Dr Fredolin Tangang from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said, was based on the prediction issued on Aug 16, by the South Korea-based APEC Climate Centre (APCC).
Based on the forecast, the northern part of the peninsula is predicted to experience an increase in rainfall in December, while Sabah and Sarawak will experience a decrease in rainfall.
"The forecast for January shows that Peninsular Malaysia is expected to receive an increase in rainfall.
"This is a monthly forecast. Although in November it is predicted that there will be a reduction in rainfall, the possibility of extreme rain is still there and floods can still occur," he said when contacted.
Fredolin said climatologically, Peninsular Malaysia will begin to experience the northeast monsoon in mid-November until February.
"Rainfall usually increases when the northeast monsoon begins and in the Peninsula Malaysia heavy rains usually continue until January."
Asked about states that should be put on alert for bad weather, Fredolin said; "Typically during the middle of November, when the Northeast Monsoon begins until the end of December, Kelantan and Terengganu are prone and more exposed to widespread floods.
"While from January to February, southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang and Johor would be more exposed to flooding, followed by Sabah and Sarawak in February.
"At the same time, we cannot discount the possibility of widespread flooding on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, like what happened at the end of last year.
"However, the likelihood of this is relatively low compared to those in eastern states in Peninsular Malaysia and requires multiple meteorological conditions for it to occur."
He added people living in flood-prone areas need to heed forecasts and any warnings from relevant authorities regarding bad weather and possible floods in their respective areas.
Recently, it was reported that large-scale floods caused by continuous heavy rain are expected in the country from mid-November.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said the northeast monsoon during the period would bring continuous heavy rain that could lead to major floods.
He said the La Nina phenomenon would intensify such weather that would last until early next year.
Scattered thunderstorms will bring strong winds, heavy rain and flash floods in October.