Eight states, including Johor which is holding its state election today, are expected to experience heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds until 3pm, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
MetMalaysia said the weather warning also involved the whole of Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.
In Kedah, affected areas include Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap, Yan, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Sik, Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu.
For Perak, the warning covers Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Manjung, Perak Tengah, Bagan Datuk and Hilir Perak, while in Pahang, the affected areas are Bera and Rompin.
The warning also applies to several areas in Selangor including Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Gombak, Petaling, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Sepang.
MetMalaysia issues a thunderstorm warning when signs indicate thunderstorms with rainfall intensity exceeding 20 millimetres per hour are occurring or expected to occur for more than an hour.
The department said such warnings are short-term alerts and remain valid for no more than six hours from the time of issuance.
Despite heavy rain in Johor since 11am, the weather conditions did not stop voters from heading to polling centres to fulfil their responsibilities.
E-hailing worker Nurul Afiqah Mahat, 28, from Kempas, said she and her 68-year-old mother, Fa’thilah Abu Hassan, managed to cast their votes despite the downpour.
“Before leaving, the weather was already cloudy and I expected rain. Thankfully, my mother and I were still able to carry out our responsibility as voters,” she said after voting at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kempas for the Kempas state seat.
Meanwhile, Nurhidayah Ali, 40, travelled from Bukit Siput, Segamat to the same polling centre, taking more than two hours to reach the location.
She said heavy rain greeted her upon arrival but she was prepared with an umbrella.
“Even with weather like this, I believe the responsibility as a voter must still be carried out,” she said.
