Tropical cyclone formation in this area is unusual due to its low latitude and close proximity to the equator, along with the lacking of the Coriolis effect. However, there have been a handful of storms that affected the nation that originated either from the South China Sea or as far back as the Philippine Sea. This would demonstrate that only two cyclones so far have actually made landfall over mainland Malaysia – Greg (1996) and Vamei (2001). Storms that affect this area tend to be around the end of the year, during the months of November and December.
26 December 1996 — Tropical Depression Greg moved over the state of Sabah. Flash flooding caused many landslides in the state, killing a total of 238 people – making it the deadliest storm to affect Malaysia. Most of these deaths came from the city of Kota Kinabalu.[1]
6 January 1999 — Tropical Depression Hilda brought heavy rain to the state of Sabah. The rain caused flooding and mudslides, resulting in the death of five people, and damages of about 15 million MYR (US$1.3 million).[2][3]
27 June 2006 — Despite nowhere near the country, the outer rain bands of Tropical Storm Jelawat pulled in moisture which brought heavy rainfall over East Malaysia, killing 7 people. The city of Kampung Bundu in Sabah experienced a 16-hour rainfall of 8.6 inches (220 mm), making it the wettest tropical cyclone Malaysia has experienced.[4]
9 January 2013 — Tropical Storm Sonamu neared the coast of the state of Sarawak, bringing light rainfall. It is said that the storm caused unprecedented panic to residents living in the coastal areas of Malay Peninsula due to a similar pronunciation of tsunami.[5]
19 November 2013 — a tropical depression that would become Cyclone Lehar moved over the northern part of the Malay Peninsula.
3 January 2019 — Tropical Storm Pabuk affected the western region of Malaysia despite making landfall over Southern Thailand. One person died from the storm as they drowned due to flooding.[8]
