The Meteorological Department today issued a red alert warning on the prospect of heavy rain with tropical storm or typhoon in north Johor.

In its website, the department has warned the nation to brace for a second wave of floods likely to hit tomorrow triggered by the high-tide phenomenon.

The red alert warning - highest in the series of colour-coded weather alerts - has been issued due to heavy and widespread monsoon rain expected to persist for several hours together with a tropical storm or typhoon with wind speed blowing at 60km an hour.

This phenomenon can cause floods and swift water current in low-lying and river areas.

The department also issued orange alert warning for areas in south Johor and south Pahang indicating moderate monsoon rain forecasted for several hours with wind speed at 50-60km an hour, which can also cause floods in low-lying and riverine areas.

The second wave of floods is expected to start tomorrow and worsen between Dec 23 and 26 following the high-tide phenomenon expected to hit 3.7 metres with wind speed at 40-50km per hour.

Condition dangerous

The department's corporate communications director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah also said the high-tide phenomenon would have impact various activities in Peninsular Malaysia's east coast and west Sarawak.

According to him, strong wind and choppy seas in the peninsula's east coast, Sarawak and west Sabah, including Labuan, is forecast to persist until Dec 29.

This condition is dangerous to small boats, recreational activities and sea sports.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms with strong winds advisory have also been issued to Malacca, Perak, Penang, southern Kedah, Sarawak.

Some areas in the states of Kelantan, Johor and Pahang were hit by floods recently.

At least 29 people were killed due to the floods, most of them were children. Tens of thousands of residents were also evacuated from the areas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said government aid for people affected by floods will only be decided after the situation is under control.

According to Bernama , he said the government had yet to decide on the quantum because the situation in most flood-hit areas has yet to return to normal.

The government has given out aid totalling RM18.4 million to the thousands hit by the floods on Dec 17 last year and January 11 this year.