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

MIRI (Oct 14): The construction of a concrete drainage system at Tudan Phase 4 residential area here to address flooding issues has been fully completed last week, said Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, said the project ― which commenced on June 16 this year ― was completed four months ahead of schedule.

“This area experienced flooding earlier this year. Under my Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) project, we secured an allocation of RM300,000 to construct a concrete drain here.

“The drain measures 272 metres long and one metre wide. With the completion of this drain, along with the main earth drain, along with the clearing of the main earth drain, I believe the flooding problem will no longer recur in this area, particularly for about 10 houses that were previously affected,” he said when met after inspecting the project site yesterday.

Lee commended the contractor for completing the project ahead of schedule, noting that it was originally expected to be completed by February next year.

He said the Public Works Department (JKR) for its close monitoring to ensure the project’s smooth implementation without delays.

“Contractors who perform well will be recorded in our list, so that when they take part in future tenders, we can give them priority.

“Meanwhile, contractors who often delay projects or face issues — which we refer to as ‘sick projects’ — will be placed on a separate list.

“We want to prioritise those with good performance, who comply with specifications and complete projects according to schedule,” Lee added.

Also present was Miri Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) assistant engineer (Urban Drainage Section) Awang Nur Rosman Awg Kipli.

BESUT: Khidmat radio amatur ketika banjir dapat menangani masalah gangguan liputan komunikasi di kawasan pedalaman.

Ketua Polis Daerah Besut, Superintenden Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu berkata, inisiatif dilakukan dengan kerjasama kelab radio amatur yang terdiri daripada penduduk kampung di daerah ini bersama pasukan keselamatan termasuk polis, bomba dan Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM).

“Radio amatur ini digunakan untuk membantu pihak berkuasa dan agensi berkaitan bagi menyalurkan maklumat jika terdapat kawasan terputus perhubungan akibat banjir. Ini kerana radio amatur mampu bertahan tiga hingga lima hari meskipun terputus bekalan elektrik.

“Selain itu, ia memudahkan pihak berkuasa berhubung dengan penduduk di pedalaman dengan menggunakan frekuensi ditetapkan bagi membolehkan tindakan penyelamatan dilakukan di kawasan terlibat,” katanya selepas Program Pengendalian Bot dan Menyelamat Banjir di Taman Rekreasi Agro Darau, di sini, semalam.

Menurut Azamuddin, seramai 75 wakil penduduk diberi taklimat dan latihan sebagai langkah siap siaga berdepan banjir yang dijangka melanda awal bulan depan.

Sementara itu, katanya, sebanyak 25 buah bot gentian kaca disediakan untuk keperluan banjir di daerah ini.

“Pada masa sama, kami mengenal pasti sebanyak tujuh hotsport banjir di daerah ini antaranya Felda Tenang, Keruak, Kampung La dan beberapa lokasi lagi. Penduduk yang terlibat diminta berpindah awal bagi mengelakkan terkandas banjir dan operasi menyelamat juga dilakukan mengikut keadaan serta ke­perluan semasa,” katanya.-UTUSAN.

JERANTUT: Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) telah melaksanakan kerja-kerja mengorek dan mendalamkan sungai yang cetek di seluruh negara sebagai sebahagian daripada persediaan menghadapi Monsun Timur Laut (MTL) bulan depan.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, inisiatif itu bagi memperbaiki aliran air banjir ke laut dan memastikan air surut dengan lebih cepat, terutamanya ketika air laut surut.

"Usaha mitigasi banjir ini, membabitkan pelebaran dan pendalaman sungai, akan membantu mengurangkan kejadian banjir di kawasan tertentu.

"JPS sudah diarahkan untuk mendalamkan dasar sungai," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Terdahulu, Zahid yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negara melancarkan Bulan Kesiapsiagaan Nasional 2025 di padang bola sepak Jerantut.

Sementara itu, Zahid berkata Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MetMalaysia) menjangkakan berlaku banjir semasa MTL tahun ini, namun tidak seteruk tahun-tahun sebelumnya, termasuk banjir besar yang melanda negara pada 2022.

"Banjir besar terakhir berlaku pada akhir 2022. Sejak itu, keadaan semakin baik kecuali banjir baru-baru ini di Sabah.

"Berdasarkan maklumat daripada Ketua Pengarah MetMalaysia, Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, banjir dijangka berlaku tahun ini tetapi tidak seteruk tahun 2022 atau tahun-tahun utama banjir yang lain," katanya.