PUTRAJAYA: The northeast monsoon is expected to commence as early as the fourth week of this month, a shift from the initial forecast of the first week of November.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi attributed this change to alterations in weather patterns and climate conditions.
"The northeast monsoon typically begins in the first week of November. However, due to these changes, forecasts suggest that it may arrive earlier, potentially in late October," he said at a press conference following the launch of the rejuvenation plan for Nadma partners 2030.
Also present was Majlis Amanah Rakyat chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Meanwhile, Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management (Nadma) Committee chairman, said that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage had identified areas at risk, particularly those prone to flooding.
"Coordination meetings are held when the northeast or southwest monsoon seasons are anticipated," he said.
He assured that all enforcement agencies and non-governmental organisations would be deployed with adequate personnel.
"We do not focus on specific states or locations; rather, this mobilisation will be structured, incorporating support from non-governmental organisations.
"We hope that victims will not merely rely on aid agencies but will also take proactive steps to help themselves," he added.
Zahid emphasised the importance of public preparedness to mitigate disaster risks.
"The Malaysian Meteorological Department issues early warnings five days before extreme rainfall or high tides are expected. We communicate this through state and district committees.
"We urge the public to heed evacuation advisories to minimise the impact of disasters," he said.
As of this morning, nine rivers in five districts in Kedah have breached danger levels following heavy rain overnight, with water levels continuing to rise.
Flash floods have also affected Johor, Perak, and Selangor, prompting evacuations for many residents.
Previously, MetMalaysia indicated that the northeast monsoon is projected to begin in November and last until March next year, with forecasts of four to six episodes of continuous heavy rain during this period.
Heavy rainfall is expected to impact Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang between November and December of next year.
ALOR STAR: The number of flood victims in Kedah has decreased slightly to 325 people in two districts up to 4pm today.
The Kedah Disaster Management Committee secretariat said 325 victims from 93 families were taking shelter in three temporary flood relief centres (PPS), down from 338 recorded at 8am.
In Kubang Pasu, 184 evacuees from 62 families are being housed in two PPS, down from 223 victims from 75 families earlier.
However, the PPS at the Tanah Merah Kompleks Rakan Sukan hall, Pendang, now shelters 141 people from 31 families, up from 115 victims from 25 families.
Meanwhile, six rivers in the state have recorded water levels breaching danger mark.
JOHOR BAHRU – Seramai 891 mangsa banjir daripada 262 keluarga di negeri ini ditempatkan di 11 pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) membabitkan tiga daerah setakat tengah hari ini.
Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Johor, Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani berkata, jumlah mangsa banjir di Kluang, Pontian dan Batu Pahat itu terus meningkat.
Beliau yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri (JPBN) memberitahu, jumlah itu meningkat berbanding puku 10 pagi tadi yang mencatatkan 808 mangsa daripada 240 keluarga yang ditempatkan di 10 PPS.
“Kluang mencatat mangsa banjir paling ramai iaitu 708 orang daripada 208 ditempatkan di lapan PPS setakat pukul 12 tengahari ini, berbanding 674 daripada 199 keluarga di enam PPS sejak semalam.
“Dua PPS di Kluang berlaku penambahan mangsa banjir iaitu SK Seri Kencana (142 mangsa, 40 keluarga) dan SK Sungai Linau (144 mangsa, 39 keluarga),” katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini.
Katanya, di Pontian juga mencatatkan peningkatan mangsa iaitu 131 orang daripada 41 keluarga berbanding 120 orang daripada 39 keluarga pagi tadi yang ditempatkan di SK Seri Anom.
Sementara satu lagi PPS dibuka di SK Parit Markom menempatkan 37 orang daripada 11 keluarga.
Selain itu ujar beliau, seramai 15 mangsa daripada dua keluarga ditempatkan di sebuah PPS di SK Seri Bunut, Batu Pahat yang dibuka pukul 8 pagi tadi.
Menurut laporan Jabatan Perairan dan Saliran (JPS), dua sungai berada pada paras amaran iaitu Sungai Sembrong di batu Dua Sembrong di Batu Pahat (3.28 meter) dan Sungai Kesang di Sungai Tangkak Kampung Sri Makmor (3.64 meter)
Laporan JPS juga menunjukkan enam sungai sudah berada pada paras waspada iaitu Sungai Benut di Simpang Renggam iaitu 6.11 meter, Sungai Lenik di Ladang Chaah di Batu Pahat (5.12 meter) dan Sungai Sarang buaya di Muar (2.15 meter).
Sementara ramalan cuaca oleh Jabatan Meterologi Malaysia, setakat pukul 12 tengah hari meramalkan tiada hujan lebat dan ribut petir di semua daerah negeri ini. – MalaysiaGazette