KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning covering multiple states across the country, cautioning that thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected until 12 noon today.

In the northern peninsula, the entire state of Perlis is under warning, along with several districts in Kedah, including Bandar Baharu, Kulim, Pendang, Pokok Sena, Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Yan and Baling.

Penang is also affected in its entirety, while Perak faces widespread impact across Hulu Perak, Kerian, Selama, Larut Matang, Manjung, Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak, Perak Tengah and Kuala Kangsar.

Further south, the whole of Melaka has been placed under the warning, alongside three districts in Johor — Muar, Tangkak and Batu Pahat.

In East Malaysia, Sarawak's Miri division is expected to see stormy conditions across Marudi, Beluru, Miri and Subis, with Limbang also included.

Sabah faces the broadest exposure in the region, with the Interior areas of Kuala Penyu, Beaufort, Membakut and Sipitang under warning, as well as the West Coast districts of Papar, Kota Belud, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Putatan and Penampang. W.P. Labuan rounds out the list of affected areas.

MetMalaysia explained that a thunderstorm warning is triggered when signs point to storms bringing rainfall exceeding 20mm per hour, either imminent or expected to persist for more than an hour.

Such warnings are valid for no longer than six hours per issuance.

Residents and motorists in the affected areas have been urged to exercise caution, particularly given the risk of flash floods and reduced visibility associated with heavy downpours and strong winds.