PETALING JAYA: Tropical storm Senyar is expected to hit ten states, with continuous heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas for the next two days, from Nov 27 until Nov 29, says the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia).
In an emergency media conference held on Thursday (Nov 27), MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said that this was the first time a tropical storm had reached such a strength. after it formed in the Straits of Malacca.
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Tropical storm Senyar was expected to hit worst in Perak, Selangor and Pahang before it inches towards the east coast.
“There will be continuous heavy rain for the next two days, and winds will reach up to 50km per hour, and this has never happened before.
“The public is warned to be prepared for rains exceeding 200mm. In the past few days, the rain we saw was only 120mm,” said Mohd Hisham.
Mohd Hisham said the storm, detected in the Straits of Malacca, was expected to move towards Peninsular Malaysia.
“Based on the latest information, the tropical storm is currently located at latitude 3.6° North and longitude 100.4° East, and it is expected to move eastward at a speed of 9km/h.
“Malaysia is typically located outside the typical tropical cyclone pathway. However, we have previously experienced two direct tropical storm events, which were Tropical Storm Greg on Dec 26, 1996, which hit Sabah and Typhoon Vamei on Dec 26, 2001, which affected southern Peninsular Malaysia.
“If we count today's event, this is the third, and its uniqueness is that it is occurring in the Straits of Malacca - something that has never happened before. It has drawn not only local media attention but also international interest, including global researchers.
“MET Malaysia has issued weather advisories on this storm system since Nov 23 and updates every 3 hours. Current information is available on MET Malaysia’s website. Our monitoring area covers waters and land between the equator up to 20° North latitude, and from 95° East longitude (slightly west of Langkawi) up to 130° East longitude (east of Sabah). Any tropical storm developing within this zone will trigger advisories or warnings.
“Continuous rain is expected today, tonight, and tomorrow, possibly reaching various towns by tomorrow night or early the following day. For updates, the public can visit our website, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, or download the free MyCuaca mobile app. Our hotline (1-300-22-1638) operates 24 hours,” said Mohd Hisham.
He said that about 200-300 mm of rain is expected over the next 24 hours until Nov 29.
“Once the storm moves over land, it will weaken as it loses energy (which it gets from warm ocean waters). It may intensify again when it reaches the South China Sea, depending on conditions. It is expected to cross Selangor, Perak, Pahang, and into Terengganu, eventually rejoining the larger typhoon system over the South China Sea,” said Mohd Hisham.
He said that the danger does not lie in the eye of the storm but in the surrounding areas where the rain falls.
Mohd Hisham explained that current atmospheric conditions are influenced by La Niña, which typically enhances rainfall, and by the negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which brings warmer, moisture-rich conditions to our region.
"Flooding risk is high because the ground is already saturated. Additional heavy rain will worsen flooding. Strong winds may cause fallen trees, flying debris, and landslides in hilly areas,” said Mohd Hisham.
He said that the temperature during this period will be lower than usual, staying below 30°C due to cloud cover.
“Minimum temperatures may reach around 21°C. Cameron Highlands recorded 17°C last night. Authorities continue to monitor the storm closely, sharing updates from radar, satellite imagery, and international tropical cyclone monitoring centres. The unusual equatorial formation of Senyar has also drawn attention from meteorologists and researchers worldwide,” said Mohd Hisham.
