Post-Christmas heavy rain warning

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain just after Christmas, with the strong winds and thunderstorms which ravaged the Klang Valley last week moving east towards the Bornean states.

It said based on its weather research and forecasting model as well as analyses from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Global Forecast System, strong winds and rain are expected between Dec 27 and 30.

“This will likely cause continuous rain in eastern Johor, eastern Sabah and western Sarawak from Dec 28 to 30.

“Strong winds and rough seas are forecast in the South China Sea including the waters off the east coast of the peninsula from Dec 26 to 30,” the department said.

Selangor and Pahang bore the brunt of the massive floods which swept across parts of the states this week, displacing tens of thousands and causing millions in losses.

So far, 39 people have died with others still missing.