THE public has been urged not to panic-buy or stockpile food ahead of the coming Northeast Monsoon, with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) assuring that supplies at evacuation centres are sufficient.
NADMA director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim said households should purchase only what they need instead of reacting to alarming reports or unverified claims circulating on social media.
“Just buy what you need. There is no need to stockpile food or make unnecessary purchases.
“InsyaAllah, food supplies will be sufficient,” he said at a press conference during the Media Engagement Session on Government Preparedness for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon here today.
Meor also urged the public to be cautious about sharing videos and reports that could create unnecessary alarm, particularly content posted by social media influencers without proper verification.
He recalled seeing a video about an area he was familiar with and contacting the relevant district office to establish what had actually happened.
Checks found the footage to be misleading and apparently intended to attract followers, he said.
He called on both the public and media practitioners to verify such material with the authorities before sharing it, warning that misinformation could fuel panic and trigger unnecessary purchases.
On flood preparedness, Meor said NADMA would maintain its existing level of readiness despite a reduction in the number of identified flood hotspots nationwide.
MetMalaysia has identified 3,045 flood hotspots this year, compared with 3,645 in 2025.
However, he said the lower number should not be taken as a reason to let down their guard, particularly in areas where flooding was uncommon and residents might be unfamiliar with emergency procedures.
Communities in frequently flooded locations were generally better prepared, he said, as district authorities, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defence Force were accustomed to handling such emergencies.
“What worries me most are areas that rarely experience flooding, as they may be less prepared when unexpected incidents occur,” he said.
He cited Seri Muda and Bentong in Pahang as examples of areas that had experienced unexpected flooding.
Flooding in highland areas was particularly dangerous because of the speed at which water could flow, he said, adding that climate change could make flood patterns increasingly unpredictable.
The 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon is expected to begin on Oct 27 and continue until March 2027, bringing the risk of prolonged heavy rain, floods and landslides.
Meor said three-day weather forecasts issued by MetMalaysia would play an important role in determining whether residents in vulnerable areas should be evacuated before conditions worsen.
MetMalaysia issues weather outlooks covering one month, one week and three days, with the shorter-term forecast providing a more accurate indication of impending weather conditions.
Authorities would use the three-day forecasts to assess the need for early evacuation, particularly in areas facing heavy rainfall and high tides.
Meor stressed that residents should not wait until floodwaters reach their homes before moving to safety.
This was especially important for households with persons with disabilities, young children, pregnant women and elderly family members.
“If possible, we want people to evacuate before the floods happen, as it is easier for them to move on their own before conditions worsen,” he said.
Leaving early would also ease the burden on rescue teams, particularly when large residential areas were affected.
Meor said a typical Fire and Rescue Department rescue boat could accommodate about 10 people, making it difficult to move large numbers of residents to safety once floodwaters had risen.
He urged families to make evacuation arrangements in advance rather than depend entirely on rescue operations during an emergency.
Residents should also take basic precautions at home, including moving important belongings and documents to higher ground, particularly to upper floors in double-storey houses.
With evacuation centres being prepared, Meor said public cooperation and timely action would be crucial in reducing the risks posed by the coming monsoon. - October 30, 2026
