KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) has been urged to review its standard operating procedures (SOP) for weather information, advice and warnings.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that there is a need to ensure that updates are issued more frequently during periods of extreme weather that are expected to occur.
"This is to ensure that the public is more aware of the current weather conditions to avoid unwanted incidents," he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 26).
Acknowledging that recent storms and heavy rains have caused many cases of fallen trees, floods and damage to public property - especially in the northern areas - Nik Nazmi said the monsoon transition phase has started this week and is expected to continue until early November.
"The start of this phase marks the end of the Southwest Monsoon which has started since May 17.
"During the transition phase of the Monsoon, the country will receive weak winds from various directions," he said.
He further explained that such a situation would encourage the occurrence of thunderstorms that usually bring heavy rain and strong winds in short periods of time, and that such would often occur in evenings and early nights in most of the western and interior areas of the Peninsula, western Sabah and western and central Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi also advised the public to be vigilant during this period and be aware of weather forecasts and warnings issued by MetMalaysia.
