PETALING JAYA: The strong winds that wreaked havoc on northern Peninsular Malaysia may weaken beginning Sunday, says a weather expert.
Referencing weather model forecasts, Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences senior research fellow Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said the strong winds up north are associated with a tropical depression off the coast of northern Vietnam and northern Luzon of the Philippines.
“The tropical depression is also forecast to weaken beginning Sept 20,” he said.
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Azizan said winds in the north were at 36kph yesterday and are forecast to weaken to 18kph by tomorrow.
He said the floods that struck the northern states are related to high wind speeds.
“Most lengthy rainfalls are associated with strong winds that bring moisture from the sea to our shores,” he said.
Dr Fredolin Tangang, a fellow at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, said the severe weather experienced by Penang, Kedah and Perlis recently is likely linked to a weak storm or tropical depression formed in the South China Sea.
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He explained that the tropical depression causes air masses to converge, strengthening winds in the Andaman Sea and northern South China Sea.
“In the northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia, stronger winds can result in heavy rainfall.
“Winds blowing from the Andaman Sea also generate high waves, which can get stronger when entering the Melaka Strait.
“Due to that, Penang, along with other northwestern states like Kedah and Perlis, are experiencing severe weather, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding and high waves,” he said.
When contacted, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said the current southwest monsoon is extremely active with winds blowing across the north of the peninsula and Sabah’s west coast.
“The winds are headed towards the northern parts of the South China Sea,” said its director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip.
The southwest monsoon is usually from May to September.
