KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of 851 temporary relief centres have been completed in preparation for the North-East Monsoon season which is expected to begin in the middle of this month.

State disaster management committee deputy chairman Datuk Hanafiah Mat said the centres have a total capacity of 214,392 evacuees.

"In Kuala Terengganu, we have 30 centres, 39 in Kuala Nerus, 61 in Marang, 107 in Dungun, 99 in Kemaman, 162 in Hulu Terengganu, 104 in Setiu and 249 in Besut.

"The total allocation provided (for relief centre operations) is RM4.1mil, comprising RM2.8mil from the Federal Government and RM1.3mil from the state government," he said after the state assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Iman here on Tuesday (Nov 11).

Hanafiah said the Terengganu Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) has also carried out cleaning and maintenance work along some 1,200km of the drainage system throughout the state.

This includes cleaning rivers, streams and canals to smoothen the flow of run-off in the event of heavy rain, removing silt, garbage and wild weeds.

Meanwhile, state Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) director Colonel Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsuddin said when contacted that 800 personnel were ready to be deployed to help evacuate and rescue flood victims.

"We are also ready with various assets, including 63 boats, 13 lorries and 300 lifejackets.

"All assets are in good condition and were readied in October," he added. – Bernama