Short answer. Malaysia has no national air-raid siren network. Warnings come from MET Malaysia (website and myCuaca app), from river-level flood sirens run by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) in flood-prone areas, from MET tsunami sirens on exposed coasts, and from SMS alerts sent by NADMA 12453. A Cell Broadcast System being built by NADMA and MCMC is to replace the SMS alerts 3.
What do MET Malaysia's warning levels mean?
For continuous rain, MET Malaysia uses three levels 1:
| Level | Rain expected | Possible effects |
|---|---|---|
| Waspada (Alert) | Continuous rain, under 150 mm in 24 hours | Flooding in low-lying areas |
| Buruk (Severe) | Continuous heavy rain, over 150 mm in 24 hours | Flooding in low-lying areas and near river banks |
| Bahaya (Danger) | Continuous very heavy rain, over 250 mm in 24 hours | Larger floods, landslides on hill slopes, damage to weak structures, roads and bridges |
At Bahaya level, MET's own description includes landslides and damage to roads and bridges 1. That is the point at which having your emergency bag packed and knowing your evacuation centre matters most.
Which app should I install?
myCuaca, MET Malaysia's app. Version 3.0 was launched on 13 October 2026 and sends weather warning notifications based on your current location. It is available on GAMMA, iOS and Android 2.
Are there sirens in Malaysia?
Yes, but for specific hazards, not air raids:
- Tsunami sirens. MET Malaysia operates sirens of the Malaysian national tsunami early warning system (SAATNM) on exposed coasts and announces siren tests to the public, for example at three sites in Penang on 13 October 2026 4. See our guide What should you do when a tsunami warning is issued?.
- Flood sirens. In some flood-prone villages, JPS sirens sound when river levels reach warning or danger levels 5. Residents have reported faulty sirens, for example in Kelantan in December 2024 5. Do not rely on a siren alone; follow MET warnings as well.
What is the Cell Broadcast System?
Cell broadcast sends a warning to every phone in an area without an app or a phone number. NADMA and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) are developing a Cell Broadcast System (CBS) for flood early warning, to replace the current SMS-based alerts; this was stated in the Deputy Prime Minister's written parliamentary answer of November 2025 3.
Press reports in October 2026 mention a live test date, but it has not been confirmed on an official site, so we do not give it here. Check NADMA's announcements.
What should I do when a warning is issued?
The official sources listed here describe the warning channels, not a step-by-step response. Our general guides cover the usual steps: How do you prepare for a flood?, Which radio and alerts do you need when networks are down? and How do you prepare for a long power outage?. A battery-powered radio is on Malaysia's official emergency bag list; see the kit list.
Frequently asked questions
Does Malaysia test its sirens?
MET Malaysia announces tsunami siren tests to the public, for example in Penang on 13 October 2026 4.
What is the highest MET rain warning?
Bahaya (Danger): continuous very heavy rain over 250 mm in 24 hours 1.
Does Malaysia send emergency alerts to phones?
NADMA currently sends SMS alerts; a Cell Broadcast System with MCMC is being developed to replace them 3. The myCuaca app also sends location-based warnings 2.
Is there an air-raid siren signal in Malaysia?
No national air-raid siren network was found 14.
Sources
- Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MET Malaysia) — Kriteria Amaran Hujan Berterusan — https://www.met.gov.my/ramalan/hujan-lebat/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MET Malaysia) — myCuaca App — https://www.met.gov.my/en/info/mycuaca/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) — Sistem amaran awal banjir guna teknologi CBS akan dibangunkan NADMA, MCMC — https://www.nadma.gov.my/bm/media-2/berita/5566-sistem-amaran-awal-banjir-guna-teknologi-cbs-akan-dibangunkan-nadma-mcmc (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Portal Berita — MET Malaysia uji siren amaran tsunami di Pulau Pinang esok — https://berita.rtm.gov.my/nasional/senarai-berita-nasional/senarai-artikel/met-malaysia-uji-siren-amaran-tsunami-di-pulau-pinang-esok/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA), news repost — Penduduk panik siren amaran banjir tidak berbunyi (17 December 2024) — https://www.nadma.gov.my/bi/media-en/news/2074-penduduk-panik-siren-amaran-banjir-tidak-berbunyi (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Malaysia, worked out for your household.
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Sources
- Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MET Malaysia) · Kriteria Amaran Hujan Berterusan checked 2026-10-20
- Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MET Malaysia) · myCuaca App checked 2026-10-20
- Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) · Sistem amaran awal banjir guna teknologi CBS akan dibangunkan NADMA, MCMC checked 2026-10-20
- Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Portal Berita · MET Malaysia uji siren amaran tsunami di Pulau Pinang esok checked 2026-10-20
- Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA), news repost · Penduduk panik siren amaran banjir tidak berbunyi (17 December 2024) checked 2026-10-20