FRIDAY-21ST DECEMBER 2007-Strong wind, rough seas persist in Sabah

Strong wind, rough seas persist in Sabah Peninsular braces for second wave of floods
KUALA LUMPUR:
The high tide phenomenon would have higher impact in Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast and west Sarawak, said the Meteorological Department yesterday. He said strong wind and choppy seas in the peninsula’s east coast, Sarawak and west Sabah, including Labuan, is forecast to persist until Dec 29. As the nation braces for the second wave of floods likely to hit today triggered by high tide phenomenon, the Department yesterday issued a red alert warning on the prospect of heavy rain in north Johor. The department said moderate and occasionally heavy rain are expected in north Johor from Thursday till today. The red alert warning — the highest in the series of colour-coded weather alerts — is issued when heavy and widespread monsoon rain are expected to persist for several hours.
This phenomenon can cause floods in low-lying and riverine areas besides resulting in swift water current. The department also issued orange alert warning for areas in south Johor and south Pahang. Orange alert, the second highest, is issued when moderate monsoon rain is forecast for several hours with wind speed at 50-60km an hour, which can also cause floods in low- lying and riverine areas. The second wave of floods is expected to start tomorrow and worsen between Dec 23 and 26 following the high tide phenomenon expected to hit 3.7m from 3.4m during the first wave of floods on Dec 10, with wind speed at 40-50km per hour. Meanwhile, the department’s corporate communications director, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said strong wind and rough seas off west coast of Sabah and Labuan are dangerous to small boats, recreational activities and sea sports. “I advise the people to be extra careful on the sea water level and closely follow latest developments in weather conditions,” he said. Sea Water level in and around Johor during normal tide is about 2m, with the probability to rise up to 3.2m in high tide, while in Tanjung Gelang, near Kuantan, it can reach 3.4m high from 2m during normal tide. He said moderate rain currently concentrated in south and east Johor and in north and south Pahang is expected to persist until Saturday, with the possibility of spreading to north Johor. “Fine weather and less rain are expected in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu,” he said. Areas in west Sarawak such as in Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei, Sri Aman, Samarahan, Betong and Kuching are also expected to receive moderate and occasionally heavy rain from today till Dec 26, he added.