The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning following expectations of heavy rain and strong winds affecting Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan until 3pm today.
In a statement, MetMalaysia said the affected areas in Sarawak include Sarikei (Sarikei, Julau and Meradong), Sibu (Sibu), and Kapit (Song).
In Sabah, heavy rain warnings have been issued for the Interior Division (Sipitang, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort and Nabawan), West Coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Kota Belud), Tawau (Tawau and Lahad Datu), Sandakan (Tongod, Telupid, Kinabatangan and Sandakan), and Kudat (Kota Marudu and Kudat).
Labuan is also expected to experience similar severe weather conditions.
MetMalaysia explained that a heavy rain warning is issued when signs indicate thunderstorm activity producing rainfall exceeding 20 millimetres per hour, which is expected to last for more than one hour.
It added that thunderstorm warnings are short-term alerts, valid for no more than six hours per issuance.
