THE current monsoon experienced in the country is expected to last until December 24, potentially bringing strong winds, big waves and persistent rainfall in the northern, east coast states of the peninsula and east of Sabah.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Armizan Mohd Ali said reports received by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) from the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) earlier this evening said that the situation will also cause a large swell in the South China Sea.

“Following this, MetMalaysia issued a persistent rain warning involving Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor until December 21 and a warning of strong winds and turbulent seas in the South China Sea until December 22,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Armizan said the disaster operations control centre co-ordinated by Nadma was activated this morning.

Following this, he said, all state control centres have been directed to inform central of any needs.

According to the Welfare Department disaster info app, as of 8.40pm, there are now 10,347 people sheltering from rising waters.

They have been placed in 149 centres in six states, 58 in Kelantan, three in Johor, 84 in Terengganu, two in Perak, and one each in Sarawak and Pahang.

At the same time, as of 2pm, reports were received regarding slope landslips and sunken roads and damaged bridges at 51 locations.

He said the incidents were in 18 districts in Terengganu, 16 in Kelantan, four each in Kedah, Negri Sembilan and Pahang, three in Johor and one each in Perak and Selangor, involving 18 federal roads and 33 state roads.

Following this, Armizan advised residents, especially in flooded areas to be vigilant and follow the instructions of the authorities.

The public can get current information and warnings via the Public Info Banjir, Facebook: PubliclnfoBanjir and Twitter @JPS InfoBanjir and myCuaca app on Google Play and App Store for the latest weather information from MetMalaysia. – Bernama, December 18, 2022.