GEORGE TOWN – Penang has urged the federal government to ensure that information about severe weather is better communicated to the public, following the mammoth floods that wreaked havoc in the Klang Valley and other states.
State Environment and Welfare Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the Malaysian Meteorological Department has taken great strides since major floods inundated Penang in 2017, by constantly issuing early warning notices about rough weather.
Unfortunately, in the case of the Klang Valley, such information was not broadcasted early and effectively enough, said Phee in an interview.
“Penang received the notice 48 hours before the natural calamity struck the Klang Valley, but it is questionable how the same information could not reach the masses there. Perhaps, there was a breakdown in communication.”
Phee began sharing information with the media on December 16, 48 hours before heavy rainfall lashed many states, but the worst was felt in the Klang Valley and Pahang.
He said Malaysia, like almost every other nation, is now living in the age of climate change where the weather can turn severe – from rains and tidal waves, to global warming.
“It is no longer climate change, but climate emergencies. So, we need to gear (up) the country for such eventualities,” said Phee, proposing for fresh standard operating procedures to be drawn to educate the public about the pitfalls of severe weather – particularly flooding.
There is a need for each victim trapped by rising and stagnant waters to be equipped with 72 hours of basic provisions such as first aid and food. The latter of which should comprise canned items, so they would be easy to prepare and consume.
There is also a need for the allocation of new age equipment from boats and helicopters to assist in aid for victims, he said.
He noted the construction of new commercial and residential projects must take severe flooding into account, too.
Phee said Penang will continue to deploy manpower, equipment, and food to Selangor until the floodwaters recede.
“Our rescuers, upon arriving, know exactly where to offer help because we track the social media messages of those seeking help. We gather their locations through GPS and Waze,” said Phee.
He said public education about the perils of “climate emergencies” is important as well.
“In some countries, they (citizens) are glued to online reports about the weather. I think Malaysians should start doing this, and stop taking things for granted.”
The era of relatively moderate calm weather is now punctuated by horrific episodes – which Penang had witnessed in 2017, and now Selangor this year.
“Unless we can arrest climate change, the rough weather is here (to stay) for the foreseeable future,” he said.
The floods that unsettled Penang in 2017 had caused seven deaths, 6,000 individuals to be evacuated from their homes, and 30 landslide incidences. – The Vibes, December 20, 2021
