Thunderstorms, heavy rain in KL, seven states until 5pm

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm, heavy rain and strong winds warning in Kuala Lumpur and seven states until 5pm on Friday (March 6).

MetMalaysia, in a statement issued at 3.20pm, said the severe weather is expected to affect Perlis as well as parts of Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap, Baling and Kulim).

It is also expected to affect several areas in Perak (Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Perak Tengah, Kampar and Batang Padang), Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Maran and Rompin) and Selangor (Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Petaling).

The warning also covers Sabah’s Interior (Tambunan), West Coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Ranau) and Sandakan (Tongod).

In Sarawak, affected areas include Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit (Song, Kapit and Belaga), Bintulu (Tatau), Miri (Marudi) and Limbang.

MetMalaysia issues these warnings when there are signs indicating a thunderstorm with a rainfall intensity exceeding 20mm per hour that is imminent or expected to occur for more than one hour.

A thunderstorm warning is a short-term warning that is valid for a period not exceeding six hours for any single release.