MET DEPT TO WORK WITH MEDIA GROUPS

They will notify rural communities of any emergency or severe weather situation

THE Malaysian Meteorological Department will work with media groups to disseminate information on weather-related warnings to rural communities.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said this was to ensure that people would be ready to face worst-case scenarios.

“We have received cooperation from RTM, Bernama and TV3 to ensure the dissemination of warning reaches all areas.

“Media groups have agreed to air warnings given by the department,” Madius said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said his ministry was aware of technical issues on the department’s website whenever online traffic increased, and was rectifying it.

He said the department would make sure its operational team ensured effective monitoring throughout the northeast monsoon season, besides operating 24 hours a day.

He said at state levels, briefing on weather reports and warnings would be presented to disaster management agencies to be better prepared.

As for the northeast monsoon season, heavy rains are expected in the east coast of the peninsula and west Sarawak.

However, no atmospheric factors are expected to affect the monsoon pattern this time, although heavy rains may cause floods in certain areas.

For this month and the next, the peninsula is expected to record 700mm of rainfall.

As for Sabah, average rainfall is estimated to be 450mm, while Sarawak is expected to record 350mm of rainfall. Additional reporting by Beatrice Nita Jay