KUCHING: The northeast monsoon (NEM) which began last Oct 24 is expected to go on until March next year.
So from now till then, the country is expected to receive four to six episodes of heavy rainfall.
During the early phase, which is until early next month, heavy rainfalls are expected to occur in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor. After that till February, heavy rain is expected to fall more on Sarawak and Sabah.
Continuous heavy rain for several days can cause floods in low-lying areas. If heavy rain occurs simultaneously with high tides, the risk of floods will be higher.
This month, most areas in Sarawak are expected to have between 300mm and 550mm of rain.
However, by January next year, the amount of rain in Kuching, Sri Aman and Samarahan will range from 800mm to 900mm, slightly above average.
Sarikei, Betong and Sibu (by Jan 2020) are expected to receive slightly above average rainfall of between 450mm and 600mm. Other areas in Sarawak are expected to receive average rainfall between 250mm and 550mm.
Going into February, most areas in the state are expected to get average rainfall of between 150mm and 400mm while Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman divisions are expected to have drier weather than other parts of the state with rainfall of between 400mm and 550mm.
From March until May, the state is expected to receive average rainfall of between 150mm and 450mm.
For more information on the weather, visit Malaysian Meteorological Department’s official website at met.gov.my.
