Thunderstorms, heavy rain expected until 5pm today

KUALA LUMPUR: Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected in several states, including Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya today.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the warning also covers parts of Perak, Terengganu, Pahang, Sarawak and Sabah, as well as Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.

The warning, issued at 1.35pm, is in effect until 5pm.

In Perak, the affected areas are Kinta, Kampar, Hilir Perak, Bagan Datuk, Batang Padang and Muallim.

In Terengganu, the warning covers Kemaman and Dungun, while in Pahang, it covers Jerantut, Rompin, Bera, Bentong, Raub, Cameron Highlands, Pekan, Kuantan and Lipis.

In Sarawak, the affected areas are Kuching, Mukah (Dalat and Matu), Sri Aman (Pantu), Serian, Sibu, Limbang, Miri (Marudi and Bario) and Samarahan (Asajaya and Samarahan).

In Sabah, the warning covers Tawau (Lahad Datu, Kalabakan and Tawau), Sandakan, the Interior (Membakut, Pensiangan, Sook, Keningau and Tambunan), the West Coast and Kudat (Kota Marudu and Pitas).

"Warnings are issued when there are signs of thunderstorms with rainfall intensity exceeding 20mm per hour that are imminent or expected to last more than an hour.

"Thunderstorm warnings are short-term warnings valid for no more than six hours per issuance," it said in a statement.

The department had earlier said the northeast monsoon, which began on Oct 27 and is expected to last until March next year, would bring three to five episodes of continuous heavy rain between November and January.

It said Kelantan and Terengganu were expected to experience continuous heavy rain this month, followed by Pahang and Johor in December and Sarawak in January.