The early morning downpour today reduced traffic to a crawl in many areas especially in the Klang Valley. - NSTP/Saddam Yusoff (for illustration purposes only)
The early morning downpour today reduced traffic to a crawl in many areas especially in the Klang Valley. - NSTP/Saddam Yusoff (for illustration purposes only)

KUALA LUMPUR: The early morning downpour today reduced traffic to a crawl in many areas especially in the Klang Valley.

A check by the New Straits Time on social media showed that many motorists were left stuck on the road due to the rain.

A Twitter user, @imaginaryworldx said this morning's traffic jam was very bad and kept many motorists on the road for a long time.

"Getting to work this morning was a nightmare because of the traffic. This happens almost every time it rains, especially in Kuala Lumpur."

Another user @saranghamoo said he should have been able to reach his workplace in five minutes, but due to heavy rain, it caused traffic jams and forced him to arrive almost an hour late.

"I'm really sick of the traffic in Malaysia whenever it rains," he said.

Similar frustration was shared by user @AzharAndiTahirsaid, saying that he left his house in Shah Alam at 6.40am and arrived at Subang Jaya at 7.25am, even though it usually would take only 10 minutes to get there.

But due to the heavy traffic, he got stuck for about 40 minutes.

The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds were expected to occur in several states until 1pm today.

MetMalaysia, in a statement , said these areas involved Manjung, Perak Tengah, Kampar, Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak, Batang Padang and Muallim in Perak.

"In Pahang, it will be wet at Cameron Highlands, Lipis and Bentong whereas in the southern region, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan and Melaka will be affected too.

"The wet weather is also expected in most areas of the Klang Valley, including Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak, Hulu Langat, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya," it said.

"In Johor, it will involve Tangkak, Muar, Batu Pahat and Pontian."

A thunderstorm warning will be issued when there is intensity of rainfall of more than 20 millimetres per hour that is imminent or likely to occur for more than an hour.