Met Dept predicts more rain for Penang in coming week

Wading through water woes: Heavy rain caused floodwaters to rise in areas surrounding Bukit Mertajam, Penang. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: There seems to be no sunny news for Penangites for now, because the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast heavy rainfall over the state in the next seven days.

After heavy rains resulted in possibly the worst floods ever seen in the state, Penangites now face the prospect of thunderstorms and heavy rain for the coming week, as indicated on the MetMalaysia website as of 3.30pm yesterday.

The department issued a yellow alert for Penang as well as Kedah, Perlis and Perak, especially in Kerian, Selama, Hulu Perak and Kuala Kangsar.

A yellow level warning is categorised as continuous rain and strong winds, while orange is an early indication of heavy monsoonal rain.

Red denotes strong winds or heavy rains associated with a low pressure system, or tropical disturbance, or tropical storms over land areas.

A MetMalaysia press statement posted on Facebook also showed a yellow alert for Kelantan and Terengganu, especially in Besut, Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu, Marang and Hulu Terengganu.

However, a climate expert believes that the worst might be over for Penang because the deluge was the result of a low pressure system which had passed over the state from Saturday.

Dr Fredolin Tangang, professor of climatology and physical oceanography at the School of Environmental and Natural Resources, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said this was based on westward winds from Borneo moving counter-clockwise that hit Penang that day.

“This phenomenon is called the Borneo vortex, and it brings heavy rain and winds.

“It also marks the start of the monsoon season.

“The bad floods that hit Kelantan and Terengganu in 2014 were a result of the Borneo vortex.

“My colleagues and I believe the situation in Penang will not get any worse than on Saturday,” Dr Fredolin added.

He, however, said that to be sure, updated data will be needed from MetMalaysia to confirm the worst is indeed over.