Rightways: flood

Showing posts with label flood. Show all posts

Saturday, November 1, 2025

All set for north-east monsoon

PUCHONG: All eyes are on the skies as Malaysia braces for the north-east monsoon.

Heavy, continuous rains are on the horizon, with Sabah forecast to experience above-average rainfall due to the La Nina weather phenomenon.

Authorities, meanwhile, are all geared up to tackle this head-on, with more than 100,000 personnel and nearly 40,000 assets ready nationwide

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director-general (operations) Ambun Dindang said the north-east monsoon, expected to begin in November and last until March next year, will also bring five to seven episodes of heavy, continuous rainfall nationwide.

“This year, we forecast above-average rainfall in Sabah, as the La Nina phenomenon is expected to be forming near the territory

“Among the forecast areas are the east coast and north of Sabah,” he said during a media engagement event organised by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) on preparations for the north-east monsoon here yesterday.

He said Sabah is expected to experience episodes of above- average rainfall between Dec-ember and February.

“Our teams will be monitoring the situation daily,” he said.

Ambun said Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Sarawak are also forecast to experience heavy, continuous downpours between November and Dec-ember.

The situation is expected to persist in Pahang, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak in January next year.

Sabah and Sarawak are also forecast to experience heavy, continuous rainfall next February.

“The said areas are expected to receive regular rainfall except for Sabah. Below average rainfall has, meanwhile, been forecast in west Sarawak in March next year,” he said.

Ambun said warnings on extreme weather episodes will be issued at least a week prior to the incidents.

Warnings on continuous rain, strong winds, and rough seas will also be issued at least three days prior to the episodes.

“Updated forecasts will be issued daily,” he said.

Nadma director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah said more than 100,000 personnel will be on standby for the coming north-east monsoon season.

This comprises personnel from the Armed Forces (4,770), police (20,600), Fire and Rescue Department (15,640), Civil Defence Force (15,390), and Rela (47,100).

Close to 40,000 assets have also been readied in preparation for the year-end monsoon.

This includes 2,555 boats, 1,843 four-wheel drives, 1,172 trucks, 25 helicopters, and 34,092 lifejackets.

He added that 3,683 flood hotspots have been identified nationwide based on Irrigation and Drainage Department findings.

“Regardless, the government is prepared for the coming north-east monsoon season,” he told reporters after the briefing yesterday.

Abdul Halim said coordination among agencies has been improved compared with the north-east monsoon last year.

“The distribution of the Bantuan Wang Ihsan aid has also been improved, with more efficient payouts,” he said.

He added that residents play an equally vital role in flood operations.

“Take note of the early signs, such as rising waters, among others. Please evacuate once you notice this,” he said.

On a related matter, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said 29 specialised rapid response teams are on standby nationwide to strengthen flood rescues.

He said these teams will focus solely on floods to minimise disruption to daily station operations.

“Our stations have boats and other flood rescue assets, but officers must also stand by for fires and other emergencies. The rapid response teams, however, will be ready to respond to flood emergencies directly,” he said.

He added that each team comprises about 18 personnel and that several operating bases nationwide have been established to store flood rescue assets.

“If there is a forecast, the team can obtain the assets there directly,” he added.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Penang floods, support pours in for dialogue

(From left) Dr Kam will deliver a talk on ‘Understanding the Causes of Floods and Seeking Solutions. State assemblymen expressing interest in attending are Dr Norlela, Cheah, Muhamad Farid, Ooi and Shah Headan.

School students and the public wading through floodwaters in Jalan Trengganu

The evacuation of stranded residents using a boat in Taman Thean Tek during the Sept 15 floods.

Filepix of cars getting stalled on flooded Jalan Ayer Itam

MORE than 10 elected representatives from Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional have so far confirmed their attendance at the dialogue session ‘Penang Floods: A Call for Action’ to discuss floods at the Teow Chew Association in Chulia Street on Sunday from 10am till noon.

Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng from PKR said the briefing was a good initiative to gather feedback from the people.

“As people’s representatives, we should always have a positive mind dtowards discussions, whether it is positive or negative.

“Dialectics process is necessary to get to the bottom of a problem,” he said yesterday.

Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin, also from PKR, believes the dialogue session would be a great resource for her to learn more about what was happening on the island.

“I have always been concerned about the flooding woes in my constituency and other parts on the mainland.

“I want to know more about flooding on the island too,” she said.

Dr Norlela said the input from the session would be useful for help to raise questions in the state assembly sitting from Nov 2.

Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah from Barisan Nasional said the session would be a good platform for the people and affected flood victims to raise their concerns.

“Our priority is to help the rakyat (people) and we will come in support of them,” he said.

Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, from the DAP, said he would send two of his representatives to the session.

“I will raise flood issues during the assembly sitting. I have done this many times before,” he said.

Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad said he would be attending a function in his constituency. However, he said he would try to attend the dialogue “even though I may be late.”

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi said he would be attending an event to foster unity between Muslims and non-Muslims at Jamek Mosque in his constituency at the same time.

“I will be late if the event at the mosque starts late,” he said.

The dialogue will be moderated by Penang Forum steering committee member Ahmad Chik.

Forum member Dr Kam Suan Pheng, a soil expert and scientist, will deliver a talk on ‘Understand-ing the Causes of Floods and Seeking Solutions’.

Lawyer Datuk Agatha Foo will talk on ‘Laws and Guidelines Relating to Hill Land and Hill Slope Development’.

Consumers Association of Penang legal adviser Meenakshi Raman will touch on the ‘Demands of Residents’ Associations of Penang’ and it will be followed by the dialogue session.

Meenakshi, who is Tanjung Bungah Residents Association chairman, urged resident associations and management corporations to attend the event.

She said 24 resident associations, management corporations and residents groups had joined the Residents’ Associations of Penang which was formed last year.

“We hope more will sign up. More members means more strength in handling issues affecting the community,” she said.