KUANTAN, Oct 13 — The disaster operations control centres (PKOBs) at all levels will be activated ahead of schedule to ensure effective monitoring and coordination before the northeast monsoon (MTL) 2025/2026 begins in early November, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today.

He said that the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecasted that the upcoming monsoon season, which is expected to last until the end of March 2026, will be influenced by a weak La Niña phenomenon.

“This condition could result in between five and seven episodes of continuous heavy rain, surpassing the usual average of five per season,” he said in a statement following the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP) Meeting No. 2/2025, which he chaired earlier today.

The meeting was attended by state secretaries, who serve as Chairpersons of their respective State Disaster Management Committees (JPBN), along with representatives from various agencies.

“The risk of major floods will increase if persistent rain coincides with high tide events. MetMalaysia will issue Continuous Rain Warnings (Alert, Severe, Danger) at least three days in advance to enable swift response measures,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

On mitigation efforts, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, noted that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has reported a significant reduction in flood hotspots, from 4,619 locations last year to 3,683 this year.

“This positive development is the result of ongoing government flood mitigation projects. However, continued commitment from state governments is essential to ensure that flood prevention efforts are implemented effectively,” he stressed.

As part of long-term preparedness strategies, the meeting also approved the construction of a Permanent Disaster Relief Centre (PPBK) in Jerantut, Pahang, to strengthen community-level disaster resilience.

“The project is expected to begin in 2026, in collaboration with the state government and relevant technical agencies,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that 34 high-risk critical slopes across the country are now equipped with Early Warning Systems (EWS) for geological disasters such as landslides.

“I have mandated the Department of Minerals and Geoscience to act as the national coordinator for monitoring high-risk slopes, and to work closely with other government agencies and private sector partners,” he added. — Bernama