GEORGE TOWN – The strong winds and choppy seas currently hitting northern states in the peninsula and the west coast of Sabah are posing a danger to sea-based economic and leisure activities.
The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in their weather forecast update as of 9am today, said that it will be maintaining its Category 1 strong winds and rough seas warning until Saturday.
This means winds will be blowing at 40 to 50kmph while waves will reach 2.5 to 3.5m-high in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak and the west coast of Sabah.
‘’This situation is dangerous for shipping activities, small boats, water sports, sea-based recreations as well as fishery (in these states).
“This warning takes effect until September 21,” said meteorologist Ruzamin Pilus in the weather forecast that was posted on MetMalaysia’s YouTube channel.
Penang has seen its coastal commerce and recreational activities badly affected for the past few days as seaside restaurants in Penang Island and Butterworth are badly damaged by strong winds and high waves that washed away their furniture and blew away roofs.
Meanwhile, ferry services in Kuala Kedah and Langkawi have to be cancelled due to high waves.
Separately, MetMalaysia is also maintaining its “alert category” rainfall warning as it warned that Penang, Kedah, Perlis and northern Perak will be seeing continuous rainfall today.
This warning comes as some parts of Perlis, Kedah and Penang were hit by flash flood for the past few days due to heavy downpours and thunderstorms.
Six districts in Kedah – Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kulim, Pokok Sena, Kuala Muda and Kota Setar – as well as some parts of the northern, central and southern Perai districts in mainland Penang were hit by floods yesterday. – September 19, 2024