Commuters, brace for a wet evening: MetMalaysia flags heavy storms nationwide until 7pm

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a nationwide thunderstorm advisory for this evening, warning of torrential downpours, lightning, and gusty winds across Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah until 7.00pm today.

The alert, released at 3.50pm, places the entirety of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Perlis on high alert, alongside selected districts across several other states.

In the northern corridor, stormy weather is forecast across 11 districts in Kedah, spanning Pokok Sena, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Yan, Pendang, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Kuala Muda, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu.

The warning concurrently extends across Penang’s mainland districts of Seberang Perai Utara, Tengah, and Selatan, alongside nine Perak districts, including Kerian, Muallim, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar, Larut Matang, Selama, and Batang Padang.

On the east coast of the peninsula, the bulletin blankets Kelantan’s interior and northern districts of Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Jeli, and Machang. In Terengganu, squalls are expected across Kemaman, Besut, Hulu Terengganu, and Dungun, while Pahang residents in Kuantan, Pekan, Maran, and Jerantut have also been advised to brace for rain. In the south, the alert spans six Johor districts, namely Tangkak, Muar, Batu Pahat, Pontian, Kluang, and Segamat.

Across East Malaysia, the advisory covers extensive divisions in Sarawak, including Sibu, Bintulu, Mukah, Sarikei, and Limbang, alongside Miri, Marudi, and Subis within the Miri division. In Sabah, stormy conditions are expected along the West Coast across Kota Belud and Ranau, before stretching into Kinabatangan and Sandakan in the Sandakan division, and Lahad Datu and Kalabakan in the Tawau division.

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warnings whenever radar and satellite models detect rainfall intensity exceeding 20mm per hour that is either imminent or expected to persist beyond an hour. The department noted that these bulletins serve as short-term alerts with a maximum validity of six hours from the time of issuance.

Motorists and residents across affected localities are advised to remain vigilant against localized flash floods, sudden wind squalls, and falling roadside trees or branches during the peak evening commute.