KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued an afternoon thunderstorm advisory, warning that heavy downpours, gusty winds, and lightning will lash widespread areas across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak until 7pm today.

The advisory places the entirety of Perlis, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya on alert, alongside large swathes of the northern and central peninsula.

In Kedah, stormy weather is forecast for Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu. Perak faces widespread disruption across Kerian, Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Larut Matang, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang, Muallim, and Bagan Datuk.

Across Selangor, the warning blankets Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat, and Sepang. Further south, the alert covers Jempol in Negeri Sembilan and Segamat in Johor.

East coast states are similarly braced for severe weather. Kelantan will see storms hit Tanah Merah, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Pasir Puteh, and Bachok. In Terengganu, bad weather is expected across Hulu Terengganu, Besut, Dungun, Kemaman, and Setiu, while Pahang residents in Kuantan, Maran, Jerantut, Bera, and Rompin have also been advised to brace for rain.

Across East Malaysia, the warning stretches across multiple divisions in Sarawak. These include Kuching, Serian and Siburan, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei (incorporating Julau), Sibu, Mukah (covering Daro, Matu, and Dalat), Kapit (including Song), Miri (featuring Marudi and Beluru), and Limbang.

In Sabah, the alert spans the interior divisions of Sipitang, Beaufort, Membakut, and Tambunan, before extending across the West Coast through Papar, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, and Kota Belud. Other affected areas in the state include Kota Marudu in Kudat, Kinabatangan in Sandakan, and Kunak in Tawau.

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warnings whenever rain clouds show signs of dumping more than 20mm of rain per hour, or when high-intensity downpours are imminent and likely to persist beyond an hour.

The department noted that these warnings serve as short-term alerts, with each issuance remaining valid for a maximum of six hours.