KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a thunderstorm warning covering nine states across the country, with forecasts of heavy rainfall and strong winds expected to persist until the evening. The alert was released as part of the agency’s short-term weather advisory system designed to warn residents about potentially dangerous weather conditions.
According to Malaysia, the warning is valid until 5pm, with several districts in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as parts of Sabah and Sarawak, expected to experience thunderstorms accompanied by intense rainfall and gusty winds. Authorities say the sudden weather changes may lead to localized flooding, fallen trees, and reduced visibility on roads.
Among the areas affected in Peninsular Malaysia are districts in Kedah such as Baling, along with several regions in Perak including Larut, Matang and Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang and Muallim. The warning also extends to parts of Pahang including Cameron Highlands and Bentong.
Other areas expected to experience severe weather conditions include several districts in Selangor such as Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Hulu Langat, as well as locations across Negeri Sembilan including Jelebu, Seremban, Port Dickson, Kuala Pilah, Rembau and Tampin. The states of Melaka and Johor — particularly the districts of Muar and Tangkak — are also included in the warning.
Meanwhile in East Malaysia, the advisory covers multiple districts in Sarawak including Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Mukah and Kapit. In Sabah, the alert applies to areas in the Interior region such as Beaufort and Nabawan, along with several locations on the West Coast including Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Kota Belud.
MetMalaysia said that thunderstorm warnings are typically issued when weather monitoring systems detect rapidly forming storm clouds that could produce rainfall exceeding 20 millimetres per hour, which may continue for more than an hour in certain areas. These warnings are usually valid for several hours depending on atmospheric conditions.
Meteorologists explained that Malaysia is currently entering the inter-monsoon transition period, a seasonal phase when wind patterns become unstable. During this period, weak winds from multiple directions can trigger the rapid formation of thunderstorm clouds, leading to sudden heavy downpours, lightning activity, and strong gusts of wind.
Such weather patterns are common during the transition phase between monsoons and can develop quickly, often in the late afternoon or evening. The storms may also bring short but intense rainfall capable of causing flash floods in low-lying areas, particularly in urban regions with poor drainage systems.
Authorities have urged residents in the affected areas to stay alert and take precautionary measures. The public is advised to avoid open spaces, stay indoors during lightning activity, and remain cautious when driving during heavy rain or strong winds.
Emergency services and local authorities are also monitoring the situation closely, particularly in flood-prone districts where heavy rainfall could potentially trigger sudden flooding or landslides.
MetMalaysia continues to monitor weather developments nationwide and has advised the public to stay updated through official forecasts and alerts as conditions may change rapidly throughout the day
