Possible flooding on the way, cautions weatherman
TASNIM LOKMAN RYNNAAS AZLAN
SHAH ALAM - Malaysians have been advised to stay indoors and prepare for possible flooding in the Klang Valley this weekend.
According to meteorologist and oceanographer Datuk Prof Dr Azizan Abu Samah, weather predictions based on the United States model showed that heavy rains were expected to occur today (March 5) in the West Coast of Malaysia.
However, he said, this will not be as bad as the downpour experienced last December which led to an unprecedented flooding in Selangor.
“Forecasts show that all rivers in Klang Valley are rising, especially Sungai Langat and Sungai Klang. But it won’t be as bad (as December) as that was nearly 48 hours of continuous heavy rains,” he told Sinar Daily.
He said data showed that a 10-hour rain from 4pm today until 1am tomorrow (March 6) was expected.
“High tides will occur around 7pm today so it is highly likely that there will be a backflow from Sungai Klang tomorrow,” he added.
Azizan then said this was in line with the Malaysia Meteorological Department’s (MetMalaysia) 9am weather forecast, which warned that heavy rains and thunderstorms were expected to last until 12pm today.
The three states that would be hit the hardest were Kelantan (Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Tanah Merah, Bachok, Machang, and Pasir Puteh), Sarawak (Sibu, Kapit, and Miri), and Sabah (Sandakan and Kudat).
The latest update at 11.55am, today, showed that Kelantan and Sabah will continue to experience heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
According to the Public Infobanjir portal, Sungai Klang was fast approaching the warning zone while Sungai Langat in Bukit Changgang has already hit the warning zone.
