KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 69,754 trained personnel, including from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, People’s Volunteer Corps and Fire and Rescue Department, are ready for all aspects of disaster management nationwide.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that 7,906 temporary evacuation centres have been identified to house up to 1.9 million flood victims during the northeast monsoon.
He also said that Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang have experienced rainfall since early this morning according to data from the National Disaster Control Centre (NDCC).
“We hope all parties are ready to face the risk of floods in certain places, especially in Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast states,” he said after attending a briefing at the NDCC today.
He added that this year’s flood management improvements include updating the standard operating procedures, holding briefings and disaster simulations nationwide and engagement sessions with local communities such as village heads, youth groups and non-governmental organisations.
Meanwhile, Armizan said he would hold discussions with the ministries involved in relaying the latest information on disasters, such as the Home Ministry, Health Ministry and Communications and Digital Ministry, to coordinate the immediate dissemination of official information to the public.
He said that telecommunication companies will also cooperate with the National Disaster Management Agency to channel information via SMS to residents in localities expected to be at risk of floods and heavy rain. – Bernama, December 17, 2022
