Mini tornado formed amid active thunderstorm clouds, says MetMalaysia

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm alert for a large portion of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. The warning covers heavy downpours, gusty winds, and lightning, expected to last until 7pm today. The alert encompasses the entire states of Perlis, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya, as well as significant areas in Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang.

In Kedah, stormy weather is expected in Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu. Perak faces disruptions across Kerian, Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Larut Matang, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang, Muallim, and Bagan Datuk. Selangor's warning includes Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat, and Sepang. Jempol in Negeri Sembilan and Segamat in Johor also face severe weather.

The eastern states, including Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, are bracing for storms in various districts. Across East Malaysia, the warning affects multiple divisions in Sarawak, such as Kuching, Serian and Siburan, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Kapit, Miri, and Limbang. In Sabah, the alert covers the interior divisions of Sipitang, Beaufort, Membakut, and Tambunan, as well as the West Coast areas of Papar, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, and Kota Belud.

MetMalaysia issues these thunderstorm warnings when rain clouds threaten to drop more than 20mm of rain per hour or when heavy downpours are imminent and likely to last for more than an hour. These short-term alerts remain valid for a maximum of six hours.