The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued another thunderstorm warning covering several states, with heavy rain, lightning and strong winds expected until 4pm today.
The advisory was issued at 1.50pm and covers several areas across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
In the northern region, five districts in Kedah are affected: Baling, Sik, Kulim, Bandar Baharu and Kuala Muda.
The warning also covers all three districts in mainland Penang — Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang Perai Selatan — as well as nine districts in Perak: Kerian, Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Larut Matang, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang and Muallim.
In the central and southern regions, thunderstorms are expected in Kuala Langat and Sepang in Selangor, Putrajaya and the whole of Melaka.
Pahang districts under the advisory are Rompin and Bera, while in Negeri Sembilan, the affected areas are Port Dickson, Rembau, Jempol and Tampin.
In Johor, the warning covers Pontian, Batu Pahat, Segamat, Tangkak and Muar.
In Sarawak, the affected divisions are Betong, Mukah, Sarikei, including Maradong, and Sibu, including Selangau.
Meanwhile, several areas in Sabah are also expected to experience thunderstorms, including Kota Belud, Tuaran, Penampang, Papar, Putatan and Kota Kinabalu in the West Coast division.
The warning also covers Kudat, the Sandakan division — including Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Paitan and Labuk and Sugut — as well as the Tawau division, comprising Semporna, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Kunak.
MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warnings when satellite and radar observations indicate rainfall exceeding 20mm per hour, either expected to occur soon or continue for more than an hour.
The department said such warnings are short-term advisories, with a maximum validity period of six hours from the time they are issued.
People in affected areas are advised to remain alert, avoid open spaces and take precautions against flash floods, sudden strong winds and falling trees.
