Rescue job: Residents crossing the river by boat after a bridge in Kampung Pasir Jering, Kuala Krai, Kelantan, collapsed due to floods, cutting off some 500 residents in the area. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: A wet Christmas is expected this year as frequent and incessant rain has been forecast for eastern peninsular states, western Sarawak and eastern Sabah, according to the Malaysian Metrological Department (MetMalaysia).
Its director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah advised holidaymakers to avoid going into the sea on the peninsular east coast and east Sabah due to rough seas and high waves.
“We advise those who live in or are heading out to areas where there are continuous rain warnings to be careful and take safety precautions throughout the warning period,” he said.
As for the other states, rain, thunderstorms and strong winds may occur during the evening and night.
“The weather is expected to remain wet in the coming days.
“We issued a warning of continuous rain until Thursday for the states of Pahang, Johor and Sabah.
“However, such conditions can also occur in other states.
“MetMalaysia will issue updates on this from time to time.”
Asked if there was an increase in rainfall this year, Muhammad Helmi said this could only be determined in January next year.
However, based on the data analysis of 41 weather stations, the average annual rainfall recorded for this year until last month was 2,521.2mm.
In comparison, for 2020, 2021 and last year, the average annual rainfall was 2,834.2mm, 2,920.9mm and 3,139.8mm, respectively.
