PUTRAJAYA, Dec 16 — The Communication Ministry remains on high alert ahead of the possibility of major flooding early next year, to ensure communication services and network connectivity are uninterrupted, said its minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the ministry’s main focus is to ensure the rapid restoration of communication networks and connectivity in affected areas, while also providing assistance to those impacted.

Fahmi said the major floods that hit several districts in Kelantan earlier this year had provided important lessons, prompting stronger preparation, particularly through closer cooperation with telecommunications companies and providers of communication tower infrastructure.

“During the major floods earlier this year, many (communication) towers were badly affected, with bridges washed away and even (underground) cables damaged. That is why I have instructed teams to remain on high alert and be fully prepared,” he said.

He was speaking in an interview with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), led by its editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Duraj Raj, acting deputy editor-in-chief of News Services Mohd Shukri Ishak and executive editor of Economic News Service M. Saraswathi.

Fahmi said close coordination with telecommunications companies would allow for prompt restoration of affected communication towers once power supply and fibre connections are restored.

“Alhamdulillah, our preparedness is stronger this year, especially in coordinating with telcos to ensure flood-affected towers can be restored swiftly, subject to the availability of electricity and fibre connections.

“Secondly, temporary relief centres will be equipped with WiFi and, if necessary, Starlink. This time, team deployment is much faster, and telcos are playing a crucial role in resolving these issues,” he said.

Fahmi also said the ministry and relevant agencies have implemented site hardening measures at communication towers, including raising the structures of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) distribution boards to prevent damage from rising water levels.

“I recently visited a tower site in Moyog, Sabah. During recent floods, water levels rose up to shoulder height, submerging the infrastructure and TNB distribution boards. These boards have now been raised efficiently and swiftly, using simple technology while keeping costs under control. We are confident such issues will not happen again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said his ministry and its agencies remain on standby to provide welfare assistance, including through the establishment of the MADANI Ehsan Squad and a disaster fund managed by the ministry.

On the welfare of media practitioners, he said the Tabung Kasih @HAWANA under the ministry is sufficient to assist journalists or their families affected by disasters.

“In terms of the fund, I believe we are well-prepared and have sufficient resources to assist any affected families,” he said.

Fahmi said the ministry has identified several individuals affected by the recent floods, but the full count is still being updated and will be finalised.

He said the ministry had also received donations of relief items and has requested that their distribution be carried out in the first quarter of next year, with plans to begin a relief delivery tour as early as January. — Bernama

KOTA BHARU, Dec 16 — The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has issued a flood warning for several districts in Kelantan following forecasts of continuous heavy rain and river water levels expected to rise above danger levels.

In a statement yesterday, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) said flooding is expected to occur from tomorrow (December 16) until Friday, following the continuous rain alert (bad weather level) issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) yesterday.

The districts involved are Gua Musang, Jeli, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas, affecting low-lying areas within a five-kilometre radius of the Kelantan River Basin and Sungai Golok.

In Gua Musang, areas at risk include Kampung Limau Kasturi, Kampung Batu Papan, Kesedar Sungai Terah, Kampung Baru Hilir and Hulu, Kampung Kundor, Kampung Nerang, KTM squatter settlements and Simpang Empat Gua Musang.

In Jeli, areas expected to be affected include Kampung Batu Melintang, Kampung Kalai, Kampung Jeli Dalam and Lama, Kampung Layat, Pekan Jeli Lama, as well as Kampung Ayer Lanas, Kampung Legeh and Kampung Sungai Satan.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Krai, low-lying areas around Aur Duri, Kampung Batu Lada, Kampung Bekok, Kampung Guchil, Kampung Kuala Nal, Kampung Laloh, Kampung Manjor, Kampung Gajah and Manik Urai are also on the warning list.

The same warning applies to the Tanah Merah district, including Tanah Merah town area, Kampung Belimbing, Taman Kiara, Kampung Kerilla, Kampung Chekok Ipoh, Kampung Jerangau, as well as areas along Sungai Golok such as Kampung Bendang Besar, Kampung Nibong and Kampung Renab.

In Pasir Mas, areas at risk include Kampung Kubang Binjal, Kampung Kubang Pak Hitam, Kampung Bendang Guchil, Kampung Kelawar, Kampung Bakong, Kampung Siput, Jalan KESBAN, Kampung Banggol Kong, Pekan Rantau Panjang and the surrounding areas.

PRABN said flooding may occur earlier or later than forecasted, and the public, especially residents in areas at risk, are advised to remain vigilant and comply with instructions from the authorities and disaster management agencies. — Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU: Cuaca tidak menentu dengan hujan kadangkala lebat memburukkan situasi banjir di Terengganu apabila jumlah mangsa meningkat kepada 470 orang daripada 141 keluarga di Hulu Terengganu dan Kemaman berbanding seramai 158 orang petang semalam.

Jurucakap Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri Terengganu (JPBNT) berkata, semua mangsa berlindung di 10 pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) di kedua-dua daerah berkenaan.

Katanya, seramai 266 mangsa daripada 86 keluarga dipindahkan ke empat PPS di Hulu Terengganu iaitu PPS Kampung Lubok Periok, Masjid Kampung Peneh, Balai Raya Kampung Kemat dan Balai Raya Kampung Pelandan

“Di Kemaman pula menyaksikan seramai 204 mangsa daripada 55 keluarga berada di empat PPS iaitu Dewan Orang Ramai Kampung Air Putih, Dewan Sivik Air Putih dan Dewan Orang Ramai Kampung Seberang Tayur Hulu.

“Selain itu PPS dibuka di Dewan Kentengah Dandong, Dewan Orang Ramai Batu 14 dan Masjid Batu 16 Tebak,” katanya di sini hari ini.

Sementara itu, sehingga pukul 7 pagi ini, paras air  Sungai Besut, Jambatan Keruak di Besut melebihi tahap bahaya 0.16m dan trend menaik dilaporkan.

PETALING JAYA – Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) mengeluarkan amaran hujan lebat berterusan melibatkan Selangor, Negeri Sembilan dan Sabah sehingga pukul 12 tengah hari ini.

“Antara kawasan yang dijangka terjejas adalah Hulu Selangor, Gombak dan Hulu Langat di Selangor termasuk Kuala Lumpur.

“Hujan turut diramal berterusan berlaku di Jelebu, Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Rembau, Jempol dan Tampin, Negeri Sembilan,” ujarnya.

Di Sabah, cuaca sama melanda Sandakan (Sandakan) dan Kudat (Pitas dan Kudat). –KOSMO! ONLINE