Typhoon ‘Senya,’ the strongest ever recorded in the region to hit Malaysia tonight

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has stated that Typhoon "Senya," which is forecast to strike Malaysia tonight, is the strongest storm ever to hit the country.

Dr. Mohamed Hisham Anif, Director-General of MetMalaysia, told the "Straits Times" today that the depression, which formed in the Strait of Malacca last Saturday, has intensified into a powerful typhoon. He noted that records show this is the strongest storm ever recorded in that region.

He recalled that the last depression to affect Penang, Malaysia, was in 2017, but it did not intensify into a typhoon or a dangerous situation.

"However, this is the first time we have seen a depression near Sumatra, Indonesia, intensify into such a powerful typhoon," Hisham stated.

Hisham said the typhoon is expected to make landfall tonight in the region of Peninsular Malaysia. The states most likely to be affected are the western and central states of the peninsula, including Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur.

He appealed for special caution over the next three days, as the areas are prone to heavy rainfall, strong winds, flash floods, and landslides.

According to meteorological records, this is only the second typhoon to form in the Strait of Malacca. The first typhoon, "Vamei," struck in 2001.

Typhoon "Senya" made landfall in Sumatra, Indonesia, late last night.

The storm has affected Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. So far, 46 deaths have been reported in Thailand due to flooding, and over a million people have been displaced.

In Malaysia, one death has been reported so far due to the flooding, while 76 deaths have been reported in Indonesia, which appears to have suffered the greatest loss. Indonesia has also reported 74 people missing.