Meteorological Department warns of strong winds and rise in sea levels at coastal areas

The Star, Sunday January 6, 2013

By LOH FOON FONG and QISHIN TARIQ

newsdesk@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The Meteorological Department warns that strong winds next week are expected to cause rough sea conditions and a rise in sea levels at coastal areas along the country.

It said strong north-easterly winds of up to 60kph were expected to cause waves as high as 4m off Pahang, east Johor, Sarawak (Rejang, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri), Labuan, Sabah (interior, West Coast and Kudat), Tioman and Reef South.

Strong north-easterly winds of 40-50kph would also cause waves as high as 3.5m off Kuching in Sarawak, Sandakan in Sabah, plus the Bunguran and Sulu islands.

The strong winds and rough seas are expected to continue until Jan 11.

The coastal areas of Pahang and east Johor will also be vulnerable to a rise in sea level, with the situation expected to continue until Monday, it said on its website yesterday.

It also warned of strong winds in excess of 60kph causing 5.5m-high waves off Kelantan, Terengganu, Samui, Condore, Reef North, Layang-Layang and Palawan.

In addition, the coastal areas of Kelantan and Terengganu will be vulnerable to a rise in sea level until Monday.

Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Hydrology and Water Resources Division director Datuk Hanapi Mohamad Noor has advised people living in flood-prone areas to adhere to directives from the authorities.

Warning that the rainy season has not ended, he said flooding could still happen this month and next.
He said most main rivers in the country were placed on the alert or warning levels.

He said states which faced potential flooding were Kelantan, Trengganu, Pahang and Johor.

National Security Council secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudden Abdul Wahab has also advised people in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang to prepare for a second wave of flood as heavy rain had been forecast for three days from Monday.