KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) today issued a yellow-level weather alert, with heavy rain expected in several areas in Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah until Monday.

MetMalaysia director-general Jailan Simon said the bad weather was expected to hit Hulu Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman, Terengganu; Kuantan, Pahang until tomorrow while heavy rain has been forecast for Sipitang, Tenom, Beaufort and Nabawan in Sabah, until Monday.

"During that period, there may be strong winds at coastal areas in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

"Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected in most states on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, namely Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor,” he said in a statement here.

Jailan said the interior of Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, and Bera) as well as western Sabah and Sarawak are also expected to experience similar weather conditions which have the potential to cause flash floods in low-lying areas and damage to unstable structures.

He said strong northeasterly winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, with waves up to 3.5 metres high, are expected in the waters of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, eastern Johor, Sarawak and Sabah during the period.

"This can result in overflowing in coastal areas and estuaries in the affected areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jailan said a tropical depression which was detected at latitude 8.9 north and longitude 120.6 east was expected to move towards the west at a speed of 15 km per hour.

The condition could cause heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas in Sabah waters, he added. — Bernama