KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has again issued an afternoon thunderstorm advisory for multiple states across the country, forecasting heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds until 4.00pm today.

The advisory, issued at 1.50pm, blankets wide sections of Peninsular Malaysia alongside extensive divisions in Sabah and Sarawak.

In the northern peninsula, stormy weather is expected across five Kedah districts: Baling, Sik, Kulim, Bandar Baharu, and Kuala Muda. The warning concurrently extends across mainland Penang through Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah, and Seberang Perai Selatan, while Perak faces widespread disruption across nine districts, namely Kerian, Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Larut Matang, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang, and Muallim.

In the central and southern corridors, localized downpours are forecast for Kuala Langat and Sepang in Selangor, alongside Putrajaya and the entire state of Melaka.

In Pahang, Rompin and Bera have been placed on alert. Across Negeri Sembilan, the warning spans Port Dickson, Rembau, Jempol, and Tampin, while in Johor, adverse weather is expected across Pontian, Batu Pahat, Segamat, Tangkak, and Muar.

Across East Malaysia, the bulletin covers central Sarawak divisions, including Betong, Mukah, Sarikei (incorporating Maradong), and Sibu (including Selangau).

In Sabah, severe conditions are anticipated across large parts of the West Coast, spanning Kota Belud, Tuaran, Penampang, Papar, Putatan, and Kota Kinabalu. Storms are also forecast in Kudat, alongside the Sandakan division (covering Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Paitan, and Labuk & Sugut) and the Tawau division (encompassing Semporna, Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Kunak).

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warnings when satellite and radar indicators track rainfall intensity exceeding 20mm per hour that is either imminent or expected to persist beyond an hour.

The department noted that these bulletins serve as short-term alerts with a maximum validity of six hours from issuance.

Members of the public in affected localities are advised to remain vigilant, steer clear of open grounds, and take precautions against localized flash floods, sudden wind squalls, and falling roadside trees.