PETALING JAYA: It will be a “wet Christmas” as authorities brace for continued downpours in the coming days and weeks.
Meteorological Department director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said the department has predicted between four and six episodes of heavy rain during the northeast monsoon season.
“So far, only two episodes have occurred and we are just in December. So the potential for more episodes of continuous rain is high,” he told The Star yesterday.
As for Christmas, he said wetter weather is expected in Sabah and Sarawak, too, adding that the department has issued a persistent rain warning for Sabah from today to Monday, and Sarawak for today and tomorrow.
Most places in Sabah including the interiors, west coast, Kudat and Sandakan as well as Labuan are expected to encounter rain throughout Christmas Day.
MetMalaysia has also predicted thunderstorms or rain in one or two places in the coastal areas of Pahang, the eastern region of Johor and Sarawak (Kuching, Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang) on Monday morning.
In the evening, thunderstorms or rain is forecast in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Johor as well as Tawau in Sabah and Kuching, Samarahan, Betong, Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang in Sarawak.
“It is still too early to make predictions for New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year, but as long as the northeast monsoon is ongoing, there is still potential for continuous rain,” said Muhammad Helmi.
Up to now, the rainfall pattern has indicated that the current northeast monsoon is typical, whereby continuous heavy rain is concentrated on the east coast of the peninsula.
Meanwhile, as at noon yesterday, the National Disaster Management Agency recorded 64,078 flood victims in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Perak. A total of 382 temporary evacuation centres in the five states were active.
Social enterprise Kembara Kitchen, which has been delivering food aid to flood-hit states, ran out of its entire stock of ready-to-eat meals in just two days.
It now needs help from the public to replenish its stock to continue helping the victims. Arrangements can be made via WhatsApp at 017-883 5249 (Azren). For details on how to donate cash, visit the Kembara Kitchen Facebook page.