MetMalaysia issues strong winds, rough seas warning

KUALA LUMPUR: Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected over several Malaysian waters, including those off the west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, until 1pm today, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

In a warning issued at 8.45am today, MetMalaysia said the affected waters include Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor, eastern Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, as well as Sarawak and eastern Sabah, including Lahad Datu.

The conditions could bring winds of up to 50kmph and waves reaching 3.5m, posing a danger to small boats.

Meanwhile, MetMalaysia issued a third-category warning for northeasterly winds exceeding 60kmph and waves higher than 4.5m in Northeastern Condore and Northwestern Reef North until tomorrow.

A second-category warning was issued for Condore and parts of Reef North, while a first-category warning covers Palawan, Southeastern Reef North, Labuan, Layang-Layang, Samui and northern Tioman.

The department said rough sea conditions could endanger shipping and coastal activities, small craft and recreational sea activities, depending on the warning category.

A separate thunderstorm warning was also issued for several shipping areas, including the Straits of Melaka, Phuket, Samui, Tioman, Reef South, Condor, Bunguran, Sulu, Reef North, Palawan, Sulawesi, Layang-Layang and Labuan until 1pm today.