KUALA LUMPUR, 12 MARCH, 2010: The current torrid weather in the west coast states, except for Perlis, Kedah and Penang, is likely to ease from next week when rains return, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

In a statement here today, the department said the weather situation in Perak, Selangor, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor was expected to return to normal in April.

However, the dry spell in Perlis, Kedah and Penang was forecast to persist till next month with rainfall expected to drop between 20 and 30 per cent from the usual level, the statement said, adding that the unusually hot weather was
attributed to the El Nino phenomenon.

The same situation is forecast for the west coast and interiors of Sabah and Labuan but with the dry spell lasting a month longer before normal weather returns.

As for Sarawak, normal rainfall is forecast from April to June.

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