KUALA LUMPUR: Listen to the authorities’ advice and take precautions on warnings of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister issued the advice on Friday (Sept 20) on his Facebook as reports come in of more flood victims being evacuated in the northern states facing the brunt of the storms.
Zahid, who also chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, shared that he had been briefed by National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus of the flood situation in Kedah, Perlis, and Penang.
"I was informed that the number of flood evacuees in Kedah has increased to 6,087 this morning, up from 4,425 on Thursday (Sept 19).
"A total of 1,942 families are currently housed in 36 temporary evacuation centres across seven districts. The situation in Perlis and Penang remains largely unchanged,” said Zahid, who received the briefing after attending a workshop on the 2024 Halal Ecosystem Transformation at a hotel on Friday.
Zahid said he planned to launch National Preparedness Month in October as a proactive measure to enhance the nation’s preparedness for natural disasters.
He noted that the initiative aims to raise awareness and readiness among the public to face any eventuality, including increasingly frequent floods and thunderstorms.
"Prioritise safety and protect yourself and your loved ones,” he advised. - BERNAMA
