BRUNEI Darussalam is expecting heavy rains and strong winds today and tomorrow due to the indirect or tail-end effects of Typhoon Haima.
Rains that can be heavy and gusty at times are likely to occasionally occur, especially over Brunei waters and coastal areas, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department, Ministry of Communications said yesterday in a statement.
Winds of up to 50km/h are expected in or near heavy rains, it added.
The country also faces the risk of flash floods in low-lying and flood-prone areas during the continuous heavy downpour.
Strong winds may increase the height of waves to above 1.5 metres which is dangerous to small boats.
At 8am local time yesterday, the department said Typhoon Haima was located around the northern tip of the Philippines and moving WNW at 30 km/h with maximum winds of 130 km/h.
The Joint Typhoon Centre, Hawaii indicated that the system was expected to continue tracking towards Hong Kong within the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the department said there was no imminent threat of a tsunami in Brunei Darussalam.
Therefore, information being disseminated through a social media platform stating that a tsunami will affect the east coast of Borneo within 36 hours and that a storm will hit Brunei is unfounded, the department said.
To date, there has been no official tsunami warning issued by Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
In this regard, the public are advised not to disseminate unverified weather information through social media that may cause panic and fear, the department added.
The department said it will continue to monitor the weather conditions and will issue weather advisories or warnings, as and when necessary.
The department advised the public to keep updated with the latest weather information by visiting its website at www.met.gov.bn or follow its Facebook (bruneiweather) and Brunei WX mobile application.
The public may also contact the Duty Meteorological Forecaster or Forecast Office through the Weather Line 114.
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