Floods: Third wave will not occur, says Met Dept

KUALA LUMPUR: A third wave of floods expected to hit the East Coast states will not occur based on analysis of rain episodes by the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (Weather and Climate) deputy director-general Alui Bahari said based on a one-week rainfall analysis there had been no episode of heavy monsoon rains which would normally lead to floods.

"Every day we monitored the weather and found only regular rainfall, not heavy monsoon rain. Should there be changes, we will inform two days before the heavy monsoon rain episode begins to appear," he told Bernama Tuesday.

He said heavy monsoon rains that last for two or three days could cause flooding as what had happened recently in several areas in the East Coast, Kedah, Johor and Perak.

Normal heavy rain that continues for two or three hours can sometimes cause flash floods, he said.

Alui said issuing warning on a wave of floods does not come under the purview of the department as the department only issues warnings related to the weather such as heavy rain and strong winds.

National Security Council (MKN) Secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab however, said regardless, the agency would be geared to face the possibility of a third wave of floods in the country.

He said his teams were still busy working at all areas affected by floods to help and deliver all forms of assistance, including effective communication.

"Therefore, we maintain the position of our teams in flood-hit areas as in the first and second phase of the floods," he told Bernama.

Thajudeen said the agency, in collaboration with various government agencies and non-governmental organisations, including volunteer teams were now actively involved in rehabilitation work.

According to him, apart from food aid, medicine, clothing and shelter, flood victims were in dire need of moral support to build their confidence in moving forward. - Bernama