SANDAKAN – A total of 121,864 people have been displaced across the country as Malaysia experienced its worst year-end monsoon to date, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Armizan Ali.
He said the northeast monsoon, which started in early November and is expected to last until March next year, had so far hit 67% of the number of individuals displaced from last year’s tally.
Armizan pointed out that bad weather, according to the Meteorological Department, is expected to last for another three months.
“I have to say (the bad weather conditions) this time are more serious than last year.
“One of the crucial indicators for this is the number of victims relocated into flood relief centres nationwide – which is, as of December 27, this morning, stands at 121,864 victims.
“This accounts for 67% of the overall victims relocated to the centres over the same period of last year.
“Still, we have another three months to go,” said Armizan during his visit to Kg Forest II today.
Armizan was on an official work inspection at the disaster-hit village and witnessed the ongoing disaster relief effort carried out by the various agencies on the ground here today.
He said the disasters cover landslides, floods and other natural disasters caused by the ongoing northeast monsoon.
Last year, Malaysia’s floods were mostly concentrated on the eastern coast of the peninsula, which affected eight states – leaving at least 54 people dead and two missing.
The extent of the displacements then was over 71,000 and affected 125,000 people in these states.
On another note, Armizan said the damaged homes at water village settlements in Pitas, Kota Belud, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan were caused by the high-tide phenomenon.
However, the high sea waves and strong winds will gradually reduce from tomorrow and the tide will end on December 31, said Armizan, citing data from the Meteorological Department.
According to him, the agencies have identified 717 hotspots statewide, with 31 high-risk areas to be hit by the high-tide incident and urged those living in those areas to practise caution for eventualities. – The Vibes, December 27, 2022
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