‘BRACE FOR FLOODS FROM JAN 5 TO 9’
Heavy rainfall, 4th round of inundations expected between Jan 5 and 9, says Nadma
MALAYSIA is on high alert as it braces for the fourth phase of the flood season, which was anticipated by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to take place between Jan 5 and 9.
The northeast monsoon is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, heightening the risk of severe and widespread flooding, particularly in the east coast, and western and southern regions of Sarawak.
Nadma director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said the monsoon had triggered five surges, four of which resulted in heavy rainfall.
“Although some populated areas were not flooded, the authorities are fully prepared for potential disasters during this phase,” he told the New Straits Times.
He said the northeast monsoon, which typically runs from November to March, posed a considerable flood risk.
“We expect more episodes of heavy rainfall and are maintaining vigilance to mitigate the impact,” he said.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (Met- Malaysia) is moni- toring weather pat- terns closely and will issue updates on any impending monsoon surges.
While heavy rain had already caused flooding in several states in earlier phases, Khairul said not all monsoon surges led to heavy rainfall in flood-prone areas.
Nadma, he said, had been preparing for this critical phase since the conclusion of the 2023/2024 flood season.
“Preparations included training exercises with relevant agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), ensuring the readiness of assets and responders, and equipping evacuation centres with food and healthcare assistance for flood victims.
“We are also focusing on community engagement in flood-prone areas, improving facilities at evacuation centres, and addressing other critical issues to ensure a swift and effective response should floods occur,” he said.
Nadma had also identified 256 critical slopes, which were closely monitored as part of proactive measures against landslides.
The Welfare Department’s Info Bencana portal indicated that recent floods had led to an increase in evacuees in Selangor and Johor, although the figures remained manageable.
In his New Year message, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the government’s commitment to ongoing flood mitigation projects in highrisk areas.
Perak had seen a sharp increase in evacuees, which rose from 52 victims from 11 families on Dec 31, to 380 people from 77 families this afternoon.
In Kelantan, only one relief centre remained open at SK Gual Tok Deh in Rantau Panjang, housing 38 people from 10 families up to 5.30pm yesterday.
In Johor, 69 people from 17 families remained at two relief centres in Kota Tinggi district.
Of these, 42 victims from 12 families were staying at SK Gembut, whereas 27 victims from five families were housed at Balai Raya Kampung Perpat.
MetMalaysia previously issued an alert warning of continuous rain in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Johor from Jan 4 to 6, with expectations of further heavy rainfall and potential flooding.