KOTA KINABALU: The heavy rain that lasted for hours yesterday and causing major flooding in the Penampang area, especially Donggongon, was an indirect effect of Typhoon Vongfong.
Sabah Meteorological director Abdul Malek Tussin said the typhoon was now over the Pacific Ocean and heading towards the Philippine islands.
However, he assured that the typhoon was expected to turn north towards Hainan and would not cross the South China Sea.
“So we (in Sabah) are safe,” Abdul Malek said when contacted yesterday.
He reiterated that the heavy rain here was not directly caused by the typhoon, because if it was, the rain would be heavier and winds stronger.
“The typhoon is just around the Philippine islands, so it is not far from the sea.”
The winds above South China Sea grew stronger, as a result of enhanced clouds development over the sea, he explained.
Most clouds development happen over the sea, but at times, the clouds move inland, bringing rain to the coastal areas, he said.
Abdul Malek said rain in the morning and night was expected in the coastal areas of the west of Sabah until October 9.
He added that Kota Kinabalu had been experiencing intermittent northeast type of winds for the past few days.
“We are in the inter-monsoon period, a transition from southwest monsoon to northeast monsoon. Only the coastal areas in the west of Sabah are affected by the heavy rains, such as Sipitang, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, but I think Penampang is the worst.”