Natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said MetMalaysia has also been directed to improve its communications in disseminating weather information and warnings more effectively.

“This is to ensure the public is more aware of the weather conditions and to avoid unwanted incidents,” he said in a statement.

He said the ministry was aware of media reports stating that MetMalaysia did not issue weather warnings because forecasts issued five days earlier were still effective.

Nik Nazmi also said the monsoon transition phase which began this week will continue until the beginning of November, marking the end of the southwest monsoon, which started on May 17.

During the transition period, he said, the country will receive weak winds from various directions, which could lead to evening thunderstorms in most parts of western Peninsular Malaysia, western Sabah, as well as western and central Sarawak.

“Such weather conditions have the potential to cause flash floods, fallen trees and damage to structures that are not strong,” he said.

He advised the public to be more vigilant and to be on the lookout for weather forecasts and warnings issued by MetMalaysia.