PETALING JAYA: A year-round early flood warning system will be set up to alert the public via SMS, says Nadma director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus.

He said that his agency (National Disaster Management Agency) would be working together with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Malaysia Meteorological Department, Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and telecommunication companies to create the system.

The telecommunications companies involved include CelcomDigi, Maxis, UMobile, TM/Webe, YTL, Time, DNB, XOX (Celcom Network), Tune Talk, redONE Network, BeONE Network (Celcom Network) and Valyou/HelloSim Network (Celcom Network).

“These telecommunications companies will receive advance notice from the National Disaster Control Centre (NDCC), Nadma.

"Once the NDCC receives flood warnings from the DID, the alerts will be flashed out to residents in areas at risk of flooding," said Khairul.

He said this was on top of the various initial steps, which have been taken to prepare for potential flood disasters, including coordinating integrated disaster management at the district and state levels.

“One key element of preparedness that needs attention is communication.

“These telecommunications companies will assist in spreading flood advisories and warnings for free. This service is crucial to raising awareness among affected communities, encouraging them to take immediate precautions,” he added.

He stated that the telecommunications companies have also empowered the base station sites at 442 locations as of October 2024.

“As an improvement, Nadma reminds all telecommunications companies to continuously monitor high-risk areas and provide backup power generators and mobile base station towers to minimise service disruptions.

“All telecommunications companies have agreed to improve the content of the Flood Warning SMS to make it easier for the public to understand the flood situation in their areas,” said Khairul.

An example of the SMS that will be sent to potential victims would be: “Nadma: Flood expected in villages in Sik District from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, 28/10/2024. Visit the Nadma disaster portal for more information.”

During the last northeast monsoon, a total of 5,033,286 flood warning SMS alerts were issued to target groups by all telecommunications companies.

“Starting this year, the flood alerts will continue throughout the year, not just during the northeast monsoon season,” said Khairul.

PUTRAJAYA: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), which operates under the Prime Minister's Department, has partnered with multiple agencies, departments, and telecommunications companies to roll out a new early flood SMS warning system for areas at risk of flooding this monsoon season.

In a statement today, Nadma director-general, Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus, said that this project is a collaboration amongst Nadma, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (JPS), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM), and various telecommunications companies, all aimed at keeping the public informed about potential floods.

"Telecommunications companies participating in the project include CelcomDigi, Maxis, UMobile, TM/Webe, YTL, Time, DNB, XOX (Celcom Network), Tune Talk, redONE Network, BeONE Network (Celcom Network), and Valyou/HelloSim Network (Celcom Network).

"All participating companies have agreed to bear the full cost of sending these SMS alerts as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

"These companies will send flood warnings directly to individuals in areas at risk, ensuring timely information is provided to help them take precautionary actions or evacuate," he said.

The SMS alerts will be triggered once the National Disaster Control Centre (NDCC) receives flood warnings from JPS.

"The NDCC operates around the clock, monitoring weather and disaster-related updates," he said, adding that the alerts will be specifically targeted at the areas predicted to be at risk of flooding, allowing residents to receive relevant information.

Khairul Shahril said that communication is crucial in disaster preparedness.

"Early warning systems, such as the SMS service, are vital for informing the public and enabling communities to take immediate action to protect themselves during floods."

To ensure that the telecommunications network remains functional during disasters, he said telecom companies have strengthened network coverage by upgrading 442 transmission tower sites across the country.

"Additionally, telecom providers have been advised to monitor high-risk towers and ensure they are equipped with backup power sources and mobile base stations to prevent service disruptions," he said.

For example, the alert will contain specific information such as the date, time, and location of the expected floods, as well as links to obtain further information via Nadma's disaster portal.

"This initiative builds on a partnership between the government and telecommunication companies that began in 2017. During the last 2023/2024 monsoon season, over 5 million SMS flood warnings were successfully sent to affected residents. This year, the SMS alerts will continue year-round, not limited to just the monsoon season," said Khairul Shahril, adding that JPS has identified 4,619 flood hotspots across 152 districts in the country.

He also said that the 2024/2025 monsoon season, which began in early November, is expected to last until March 2025. Therefore, everyone should stay informed and follow evacuation instructions to avoid potential harm.

For real-time flood updates, the public is encouraged to visit Nadma's official disaster portal at https://portalbencana.nadma.gov.my/.

MARANG – Pengendali Lebuh Raya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT 2), LPT 2 Sdn. Bhd. bersiap sedia menghadapi kemungkinan banjir berikutan Monsun Timur Laut (MTL) yang bermula 5 November lalu.

Pengurus Wilayah LPT 2, Mohamad Pazli Kasim berkata, tumpuan akan diberikan terhadap lapan kawasan berisiko ditenggelami bah atau lintasan air di sepanjang laluan sepanjang 184 kilometer (km) tersebut.

“Tiga lokasi berisiko itu berada di dalam kawasan lebuh raya, dua selepas plaza tol dan tiga di luar kawasan lebuh raya.

“Antara lokasi utama adalah persimpangan bertingkat Plaza Tol Bukit Besi, Dungun dan Kilmeter (KM) 373, LPT 2 kedua-dua arah berhampiran Ajil, Hulu Terengganu,” katanya di Dataran Batu Putih di sini hari ini.

Terdahulu beliau ditemui pada program Hari Komuniti MyPlus anjuran LPT 2 yang juga anak syarikat Plus Expressways Berhad.

Mohamad Pazli berkata, pihaknya menyediakan pelan mitigasi termasuk menyediakan laluan kontra sekiranya lokasi terlibat terjejas banjir dan lintasan air kelak.

Tambah beliau, maklumat terkini juga sentiasa disalurkan pengguna LPT 2 menerusi pelbagai medium media sosial.

“Kita juga telah mengambil langkah awal membina tembok penahan banjir di dua lokasi pernah berlaku tanah runtuh pada musim tengkujuh sebelum ini.

“Selain itu penanda aras banjir juga telah dipasang terutama di lokasi berisiko selain pemantauan cerun dan saliran LPT 2 secara berkala,” katanya. – KOSMO! ONLINE

KUALA TERENGGANU - Sebanyak 883 sekolah termasuk rendah dan menengah dikenal pasti berisiko dilanda banjir di seluruh negara, kata Ketua Pengarah Pendidikan, Azman Adnan.

Beliau berkata, jumlah itu merangkumi 227 sekolah di Sarawak, Sabah (208 buah), Pahang (93 buah), Kelantan (91 buah), Terengganu (90 buah) dan Perak (45 buah).

Beliau berkata selain itu, di Selangor sebanyak 42 sekolah dikenal pasti berisiko diikuti Kedah (23 buah), Kuala Lumpur (19 buah), Johor (19 buah), Pulau Pinang (15 buah), Negeri Sembilan (10 buah) dan Melaka (sebuah).

Sehubungan dengan itu, pihaknya telah mengambil langkah awal untuk menghadapi Monsun Timur Laut (MTL) yang bermula bulan ini hingga awal tahun depan.

"Pihak Kementerian Pendidikan (KPM) telah membuat pelancaran kesiapsiagaan menghadapi MTL 2024/2025 di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Padang Garuda, Kuantan, Pahang pada 28 Oktober lepas.

"Kita sudah bersedia sepenuhnya dengan mengaktifkan jawatankuasa sedia ada pada peringkat negeri, daerah dan kebangsaan. Di Terengganu sendiri sebanyak 80 sekolah bersedia untuk dijadikan pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) jika berlaku banjir," katanya selepas merasmikan Majlis Sekalung Budi Sejunjung Kasih Kenangan Abadi Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Terengganu 2024 di sini hari ini.

Azman berkata, pihaknya juga telah meningkatkan kerjasama dengan agensi lain dan menambah penglibatan warga KPM sebagai sukarelawan banjir.

"KPM turut menyediakan perkhidmatan kauseling menerusi Smart Support Team (SST) dan Academic Suppport (AST) bagi membantu dari aspek sokongan moral. Kit sukarelawan juga disediakan untuk kerja-kerja pembersihan pascabanjir," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau berkata, Majlis Sekalung Budi Sejunjung Kasih Kenangan Abadi diadakan bagi meraikan 929 anggota perkhidmatan awam KPM yang bakal dan telah bersara tahun lepas dan tahun ini. - Bernama