No indication of Super Typhoon out to hit offshore Sarawak

KUCHING: The northern shore of Sarawak is likely to be hit by thunderstorms, following the latest detection of a weather pattern in the Philippines that indicates the formation of a tropical depression.

Such pattern, however, does not reflect a ‘Super Typhoon’ as what has been claimed by several citizens, confirms a Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET-Malaysia) official.

A quick check on the Japan Tracking Centre website also indicates that there is no such typhoon being detected.

The posting about a ‘Super Typhoon’ being formed in the Philippines, which has gone viral, talks about a ‘Super Typhoon’ out to hit Sabah and Sarawak soon, creating anxiety among family members of those working on offshore oil rigsand barges.

Nonetheless, the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) is not taking any chance – it is in the midst of discussing about the present and upcoming unpredictable weather.

“Yes. We are discussing ways to respond to any possible impact,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who heads the JPBN, when asked if the committee had heard anything about this Super Typhoon.

Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh had said, on Saturday, that he heard of the claim.

“Yes, I just received it. Certainly, we must take precautionary actions as the weather nowadays is rather unpredictable and vicious.”

In view of the impact of incoming weather patterns, the public are advised to always be be aware of it and to stay alert.

Some concerned netizens have also shared their worries.

“Never in historical data (has) this tropical depression come so close. It is now in open waters and can gain speed. Closest to Miri – 2am on Jan 2, 2019,” said one of such posts.

Yesterday, MET-Malaysia issued warnings of strong winds and rough seas over the next couple of days, which are dangerous to all shipping and coastal activities, including fishing and ferry services, small crafts, recreational sea activities and water sports.

The past week had flash floods and land erosions hitting many districts, as well as heavy rains throughout the night and the pre-dawn hours over many parts of Sarawak.