Sijangkang: The severe storm that hit Sijangkang, Selangor on Wednesday was attributed to the movement of a squall line that resulted in thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds over a brief period.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zulfa Hanan Ash'aari, a senior lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia's Faculty of Forestry and Environment, explained that the west coast regions of Peninsular Malaysia, including Selangor, are more susceptible to squall lines originating from the Straits of Melaka. This geographical factor makes areas like Sijangkang more vulnerable to intense storms occasionally.
Dr. Zulfa highlighted that although such storms are not daily occurrences, they are not uncommon in Malaysia, particularly during the monsoon transition phase. There have been multiple reports of severe storms or small-scale tornadoes in recent years across Kedah, Perak, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan.
During the storm on Wednesday evening, a 51-year-old woman sustained injuries after being trapped under the collapsed roof of Dewan Wawasan Kampung Medan, which also serves as the Sijangkang state constituency coordinator's office. Additionally, five schools, a hall, and approximately 40 houses were damaged, with at least seven students suffering minor injuries.
Dr. Zulfa further explained that storms typically arise when hot and humid air ascends rapidly, leading to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds often produce lightning, thunder, heavy rain, and strong winds, which can disrupt daily life and pose safety hazards. Under certain conditions, wind shear can intensify these thunderstorms, potentially leading to air vortices.
Prof. Dr. Mohd Ekhwan Toriman from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia noted that severe storms accompanied by tornadoes are uncommon in Malaysia, as these formations are localized and challenging to detect with weather satellites. He cited a past incident on January 30, 2022, when a tornado was reported in Taman Tasek Damai and Kampung Tawas in Ipoh, Perak.
Dr. Ekhwan also mentioned that global climate change is expected to alter weather and climate patterns in Malaysia, resulting in rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels, which could lead to potential disasters.
Dr. Sheeba Chenoli, a senior lecturer at the University of Malaya's Department of Geography, acknowledged the significant advancements in early warning systems through MetMalaysia's real-time alerts, mobile applications, and radar-based monitoring. However, she emphasized the ongoing challenges in forecasting short-lived, localized events like funnel clouds and microbursts, which often develop too rapidly for conventional warnings.