KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued an alarming warning about rising sea levels, strong winds, and thunderstorms, which pose serious risks along the coasts of several states.
Areas in east Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Western Sabah, Labuan, and Sarawak are set to be affected, with these hazardous conditions likely to persist until next Tuesday, Dec 24.
MetMalaysia anticipates strong northeasterly winds exceeding 60 km per hour and waves surpassing 4.5 metres over Sarawak's waters until Tuesday.
"These conditions are perilous for all coastal and shipping activities, particularly for workers on oil platforms," it said in a statement today (Dec 20).
Malaysia is currently experiencing the seasonal monsoon, which will continue until March 2025.
In addition, strong northeasterly winds of 40 to 50 km per hour and wave heights of up to 3.5 metres are expected in East Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, western Sabah, and Labuan during the same period.
These conditions pose risks to small crafts, recreational activities, and water sports.
The department also forecasts rising sea levels in east Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, and Sarawak, with potential inundation of coastal areas until Tuesday.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds are expected to affect the waters of Selangor, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sarawak, and Eastern Sabah until 2pm today.
"These conditions may generate winds up to 50 km/h and rough seas with wave heights reaching 3.5 metres, which are dangerous for small boats," warned MetMalaysia.
Furthermore, alerts have been issued for thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds over the waters of the Straits of Melaka, southwestern part of Samui, Tioman, Condore, Bunguran, Reef North, Reef South, Layang-Layang, Labuan, Palawan, Sulu, and Sulawesi until 2pm today (Dec 20).
"This condition may cause strong winds up to 50 km per hour and rough seas with wave heights of up to 3.5 metres and is dangerous to small boats," it added.
The forecast also indicates that strong northeasterly winds exceeding 60 km per hour and waves over 4.5 metres are expected over the waters of Condore, northern part of Bunguran, Reef North, Reef South, and Layang-Layang until Tuesday.
"This condition of strong winds and rough seas is dangerous to all coastal and shipping activities, including workers on oil platforms."
Additionally, MetMalaysia warns of strong northeasterly winds of 50 to 60 km per hour and wave heights of up to 4.5 metres over the waters of the eastern part of Samui, Tioman, southern part of Bunguran, Labuan, and Palawan, also until Tuesday.
"This condition of strong winds and rough seas is dangerous to all shipping and coastal activities, including fishing and ferry services."
"Strong northeasterly winds of 40 to 50 km per hour with wave heights of up to 3.5 metres are expected over the waters of the western part of Samui and Sulu until Tuesday, Dec 24.
"This condition of strong winds and rough seas is dangerous to small crafts, recreational sea activities, and water sports," it said.