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AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
Siren knowledge is sound advice
- Admin UKK
- Berita
PETALING JAYA: Flood sirens are only effective if the public is aware of what the warning is for, say experts.
According to the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), there are 614 flood alert sirens and 197 surveillance cameras installed nationwide.
The sirens can be heard from a distance of up to two kilometres and emit two types of sounds – one an alert and the other signalling danger. These systems are also equipped with real-time monitoring telemetry.
Director at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s Jeli campus Prof Dr Aweng Eh Rak said sirens are a useful tool and an effective alert system.
“But the people must be educated on what the (flood) siren sounds like so they do not confuse it with ambulances, fire departments or other emergency sirens.
“There are a places where voice alerts are used, and this is helpful to avert confusion,” he said.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Centre director Dr Khamarrul Azahari Razak said siren audibility and coverage are of utmost importance.
“During recent floods, sirens were generally audible within core settlement areas. However, heavy rainfall and strong winds, as well as the spread of houses over a wide area, affect how well the sound carries.
“The sound may be faint for households located further away, suggesting that additional sirens or complementary alert methods may be necessary,” he said.
He said that sirens had proven useful, especially when linked to upstream river monitoring data or rainfall intensity sensors.
When triggered before water reaches critical levels, it provides residents with a vital window of time to prepare. He said the community’s understanding of siren signals strongly influences its effectiveness.
“Residents must clearly recognise that the siren indicates a real and immediate risk.
“Past feedback shows that some residents are still unsure of what different siren tones mean or the danger level they represent,” said Khamarrul.
He added that regular community briefings and mock drills are needed to ensure everyone knows exactly how to respond.
Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s (UMK) Faculty of Earth Sciences Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Faiz Mohd Amin said a study has shown that a fully functioning early warning system can reduce the impact of disasters by up to 30%.
However, it may not perform to its full potential if the community does not understand the meaning of the siren or if it is not clearly heard.
“Many residents do not hear the siren because it is obstructed by buildings, hills or even (drowned out by) the wind.
“The use of Geographic Information Systems acoustic modelling, which is a common practice in the European Union and Japan, can ensure they are installed in optimal locations,” he said.
Mohamad Faiz said sirens need to be combined with other channels, such as mobile applications, SMS broadcasts, WhatsApp alerts from the local council and the DID, radio, digital signboards and community flood wardens.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a total of 9,800 personnel from various govern ment agencies and 7,000 operational assets had been mobilised nationwide to tackle flood disasters.
Also available, he said, were modular steel panel bridges (Bailey bridges) for use in situations where roads are cut off due to flooding.
Kota Bharu: Lebih 100 kawasan rendah di lima jajahan di Kelantan diramal berdepan banjir bermula hari ini hingga 30 November ini.
Pusat Ramalan dan Amaran Banjir Negara (PRABN), Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran dalam kenyataan semalam memaklumkan amaran itu dikeluarkan susulan Amaran Hujan Berterusan (Bahaya) oleh Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia pada 24 November lepas serta paras air beberapa sungai utama yang dijangka melepasi paras bahaya.
"Antara kawasan yang dijangka terjejas ialah Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Machang dan Tanah Merah, membabitkan kampung-kampung dalam lingkungan lima kilometer dari Lembangan Sungai Kelantan.
Antara kawasan berisiko di Gua Musang adalah Kampung Jeram Tekoh dan Kampung Limau Kasturi.
Di Kuala Krai, antaranya merangkumi sebahagian besar penempatan rendah seperti Kampung Mambong, Kampung Pahi, Kampung Bahagia, Kampung Bekok, Kampung Cheneh, Kampung Batu Mengkebang, Kampung Sungai Pas, Kampung Temalir, Dusun Damar dan Taman Perisai Wira.
Di Machang, antaranya membabitkan kawasan luas sekitar Sungai Kelantan termasuk Kampung Pangkal Durian dan Kampung Kolam Abu.
Sementara itu, di Tanah Merah iaitu kawasan rendah sekitar Sungai Kelantan termasuk Kampung Jerangau, Kampung Chekok Ipoh, Taman Kiara, Kampung Belimbing dan Kampung Kerilla.
PRABN turut mengingatkan banjir boleh berlaku lebih awal atau lewat daripada masa yang dijangka, dan menasihati penduduk di kawasan terbabit supaya berwaspada serta mematuhi arahan pihak berkuasa.
"Orang ramai boleh mendapatkan maklumat lanjut melalui portal rasmi PublicInfoBanjir atau Facebook @PublicInfoBanjir," menurut kenyataan itu.
Sintok: Usaha membawa pulang penuntut dan pensyarah Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) yang terkandas akibat banjir di Hatyai, Thailand, sejak Sabtu lalu, dijadualkan dilakukan pagi ini.
UUM dalam kenyataan berkata, operasi pemindahan pelajar terbabit akan dibuat pihak Konsulat Malaysia di Thailand dengan bantuan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO).
"Marilah kita sama-sama berdoa segala perancangan berjalan lancar dan pelajar dapat dibawa pulang dengan selamat," katanya.
Sebelum ini, 12 bot bantuan digerakkan melalui kerjasama NGO bagi menghantar makanan dan keperluan asas kepada pelajar yang berlindung di Hotel Wangburapa Grand itu.
"Namun arus deras memaksa semua bot itu terpaksa berpatah balik demi keselamatan," katanya.
Menurut kenyataan sama, keadaan di kawasan hotel itu dilapor lebih kritikal berbanding lokasi lain kerana kedudukannya berhampiran sungai, selain paras air yang naik sehingga melebihi tingkat satu bangunan.
"Situasi itu sekali gus menyukarkan akses kenderaan termasuk kereta dan lori untuk masuk menghampiri kawasan terbabit," katanya.
Semalam, media melaporkan 40 penuntut dan pensyarah UUM yang terkandas di sebuah hotel di Hatyai, Thailand kini kekurangan bekalan makanan apabila hanya makan bubur nasi yang dicatu, manakala seorang pelajar dengan talasemia dilaporkan kehabisan ubat.
Tiada siapa dalam kumpulan itu mampu keluar membeli ubat atau makanan berikutan paras air yang menenggelami seluruh kawasan.
Penuntut terbabit adalah peserta Thai-MYS Cultural Exchange Programme 2025 dan sepatutnya pulang Sabtu lalu, namun mereka terperangkap di hotel akibat banjir besar, dalam keadaan tanpa bekalan elektrik dan air.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian rescue teams, working closely with Thai authorities, have evacuated 1,210 Malaysians from flood-hit Hat Yai and surrounding districts in southern Thailand, as heavy rain continues to impede operations.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla and the Embassy of Malaysia in Bangkok were closely monitoring the severe flooding, which remains a challenge as heavy rain continues on Wednesday.
The ministry said coordinated rescue efforts had made steady progress despite the difficult conditions.
"On Nov 25 (Tuesday) alone, 870 Malaysians were rescued with the combined assistance of Malaysian rescue teams and Thai authorities. This follows the 340 Malaysians rescued on Nov 24 (Monday), bringing the two-day total to 1,210," the statement read.
The Foreign Ministry assured that operations would continue until all registered Malaysians were safely evacuated. It also advised those in affected areas to remain indoors where possible, stay alert, and follow instructions from Thai authorities and rescue teams.
While the number of stranded Malaysians had decreased, the ministry said that thousands of people, including Malaysians, remained unable to leave Hat Yai due to high water levels and strong currents.
Priority is being given to those requiring urgent medical or welfare assistance.
A team from the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok arrived in Hat Yai yesterday evening to reinforce the consulate general's on-ground operations. The teams are also working with Malaysian NGOs and the Royal Thai Army to deliver essential medicine, food, and clean water to those in critical need, with evacuations carried out whenever conditions permit.
To improve mobility and reach more affected areas, 22 jet skis from the Pasukan Bomba Sukarelawan arrived in Hat Yai today.
The ministry strongly urged Malaysians who have not registered with the Consulate General in Songkhla or the Embassy in Bangkok to do so immediately to ensure timely assistance.
The ministry will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates as necessary.
For consular assistance, Malaysians may contact the Foreign Ministry's operations room in Putrajaya at +603-8887 4570 or via e-mail at Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya.. The Embassy of Malaysia in Bangkok can be reached at +66-87-028-4659 or +66-2340-5721, with e-mails sent to Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya..
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla is contactable at +(6674) 316274 or +(6681) 9901930, with additional lines at +(6674) 324004 and 312353. E-mails may be directed to Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya..
KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan kekal mencatat jumlah mangsa banjir tertinggi dengan hampir 11,000 orang setakat malam tadi, manakala Perak, Kedah, Terengganu dan Perlis turut merekodkan peningkatan ketara dan Pahang tidak berubah.
Di KELANTAN, mangsa banjir terus meningkat kepada 11,120 orang daripada 4,188 keluarga berbanding 10,578 orang daripada 4,016 keluarga petang tadi.
Berdasarkan laman web Infobencana Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), sebanyak 66 pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) telah dibuka di sembilan jajahan iaitu Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, Machang, Kuala Krai dan Gua Musang.
Laman web Infopublic Banjir, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran memaklumkan paras air di Sungai Golok di Rantau Panjang dan Sungai Galas di Limau Kasturi kekal melepasi tahap bahaya setakat 8.30 malam.
Seorang wanita warga emas, Siti Gayah Zakaria, 70, menjadi korban bencana itu selepas dihanyutkan air deras di Kampung Batu Lima, Jalan Jedok, Tanah Merah awal pagi semalam.
Di PERAK, jumlah mangsa banjir terus bertambah kepada 5,424 orang daripada 1,686 keluarga berbanding 4,739 orang daripada 1,469 keluarga petang tadi yang berlindung di 44 PPS.
Lapan daerah terjejas ialah Manjung, Perak Tengah, Hilir Perak, Bagan Datuk, Kuala Kangsar, Larut Matang dan Selama, Muallim dan Batang Padang.
Manjung kekal jumlah mangsa tertinggi dengan 1,983 orang daripada 588 keluarga masih ditempatkan di 16 PPS, menurut Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri (JPBN) Perak.
Di KEDAH, angka penduduk dipindahkan ke PPS meningkat kepada 4,142 orang daripada 1,414 keluarga, berbanding 3,101 orang daripada 1,058 keluarga, petang semalam.
Menurut Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri (JPBN) Kedah, kesemua mangsa dari daerah Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar dan Pokok Sena itu ditempatkan di 21 PPS.
Kubang Pasu masih mencatatkan jumlah mangsa tertinggi iaitu sebanyak 2,435 orang daripada 897 keluarga ditempatkan di 15 PPS manakala di Kota Setar, sebanyak 1,562 orang daripada 470 keluarga ditempatkan di lima PPS.
Di daerah Pokok Sena, sebanyak 145 orang daripada 47 keluarga ditempatkan di satu PPS yang baharu dibuka pagi tadi.
Di TERENGGANU, hujan berterusan sepanjang hari menyebabkan jumlah mangsa banjir meningkat kepada 3,233 orang daripada 1,050 keluarga setakat 8 malam ini, berbanding 2,525 orang daripada 800 keluarga pada 3 petang tadi.
Sebanyak 39 PPS dibuka yang menempatkan mangsa banjir di enam daerah iaitu Marang, Kuala Terengganu, Setiu, Besut, Hulu Terengganu dan Dungun.
Di PERLIS, mangsa banjir semakin bertambah menjadi 6,627 orang setakat malam ini berbanding 6,370 orang pada sebelah petang tadi.
Berdasarkan data Sekretariat Pengurusan Bencana Negeri Perlis, semua mangsa banjir itu ditempatkan di 21 PPS bagi kawasan Padang Besar, Arau dan Kangar setakat 8 malam ini.
Di PAHANG, jumlah mangsa banjir kekal 19 orang daripada lapan keluarga dengan kesemua mereka ditempatkan di PPS Dewan Serbaguna Dato Omar Kuala Medang, Lipis. – BERNAMA