KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 12 -- The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has placed swathes of seven states on thunderstorm alert this afternoon, forecasting heavy downpours, lightning, and strong winds until 5:00 pm.

The advisory, released at 2:30 pm today, warns of severe convective weather sweeping across parts of Kedah, Penang, Perak, Pahang, Johor, Sarawak, and Sabah.

Across the northern peninsula, the alert covers broad stretches of Kedah, including Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Sik, Yan, Baling, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu.

In neighbouring Penang, unstable weather conditions threaten all three mainland administrative districts of Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah, and Seberang Perai Selatan.

Further south in Perak, th...