KUALA LUMPUR: Seven states in the northern and east coast regions of the peninsula have been issued with a yellow alert warning of thunderstorms and strong winds over the weekend.

A “tropical depression” (or cyclone) is also expected to hit Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak in the north, and Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang in the east.

The Science, Innovation and Technology Ministry warned that the northern states would see scattered rain becoming widespread and heavy from tomorrow until Monday.

The east coast states, on the other hand, would see widespread moderate to heavy rain from today to Monday.

Other states in the peninsula are likely to experience moderate rain during the same period.

There would also be moderate rain in most parts of Sarawak until tomorrow, and in most parts of Sabah until Sunday.

The yellow alert denotes the possibility of incoming wet weather, an orange alert existing heavy rainfall that is normal during the monsoon season but not serious, and a red alert widespread heavy rain.

In issuing the yellow alert, the ministry also warned residents to brace themselves for possible floods.

Deputy Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha said fishermen in the east coast had been advised not to go out to sea during this period.

“The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and the people should be prepared for severe weather. The seas would be rough and the conditions will be dangerous for small boats,” he told reporters at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

Kong said the leaders of the respective states as well as the police, fire and rescue departments and the national security department in the Prime Minister’s Department had been told to be on stand-by in case of floods.

“The current strong northeast monsoon winds of 65kph are expected to develop into a cyclone,” he said.

Stormy weather is expected in the west and the middle of Peninsular Malaysia by today, he warned.

“We can forecast heavy rain, but it is not possible to predict the amount of rainfall and the exact areas that would be affected,” he said.

“Therefore, we can’t say for sure if floods will occur. But we want people to be on stand-by for evacuation.”

Related Stories:
Residents go home to pick up the pieces
News in Brief
Traders affected by floods to get government help
Government to study effects of global climate change
Rotting animal remains could pose a hazard to health