KUALA LUMPUR: The heavy shower and thunderstorms which hit the federal capital Wednesday had nothing to do with the La Nina phenomenon but the country is still experiencing the south-west monsoon.
Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau said the south-west monsoon phase, where the atmosphere was drier had started since the third week of May and was expected to continue until September.
Thus, he said, the current hot and dry weather resulted in the country having less rain compared to the other seasons.
“But, heavy rain and thunderstorms are still expected to occur because of the presence of the squall line, that is, a line of thunderstorm cloud moving from the sea towards land.
“This phenomenon can occur during dawn especially in the coastal areas in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, west Johor, west Sabah and Sarawak,” he said Wednesday.
Yesterday afternoon, the federal capital was hit by thunderstorms which resulted in flash floods in several locations and uprooted trees that damaged more than 10 vehicles. – Bernama