ZAHRATULHAYAT MAT ARIF New Straits Times 5 Apr 14;
HIGH ALERT: Met Dept forecasts strong winds, thunderstorms until May
ALOR STAR: RESIDENTS in the west coast states of the peninsula have been advised to be on the alert for strong winds and thunderstorms due to the inter-monsoon season which will cause changes in weather patterns.
This phenomena had resulted in stormy conditions in Padang Terap, Kedah, and Arau, Perlis, which saw more than 100 houses damaged in recent days.
Meteorological Department's commercial and corporate services division director, Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, said the inter-monsoon season, which started on March 29, would last until early May.
"Normally, this is also associated with strong winds and flash floods. The inter-monsoon season is expected to bring widespread rain and it will be more frequent in the afternoons and evenings in the west coast of the peninsula.
"The season also usually brings light and variable winds which could develop clouds and subsequently lead to thunderstorms," he said when contacted yesterday.
Checks with the Meteorological Department website showed Kedah and Perlis were forecast to get isolated rains in most part of the states within four and five days in the afternoon.
It was reported that in Kedah, 65 houses in Kampung Pinang, Kampung Lebai Saman and Kampung Belukar Luas in Pedu were damaged by a freak storm and strong winds. Four of the houses were completely destroyed in the 5.30pm storm which was described as the worst in recent years.
In Perlis, a thunderstorm also wreaked havoc in Guar Sanji and Tambun Tulang on Thursday, leaving more than 60 houses damaged, with at least two completely destroyed.
Read more: Stormy spell for west coast - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/stormy-spell-for-west-coast-1.550082#ixzz2xyKSpB00
