Flood warning sirens upgraded ahead of monsoon

PUTRAJAYA: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry is enhancing flood warning sirens in the country to reduce property damage and loss of life in preparation for the northeast monsoon expected to start this November and continue until March 2025.

The ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim said the unexpected massive floods in late 2021 prompted the government to take precautionary measures, including upgrading the siren system.

“For instance, during the floods in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, the sirens were not loud enough for people to hear. Many mistook them for fire or police sirens, resulting in delayed action.

“The Irrigation and Drainage Department has now increased the volume of the sirens and differentiated them from police and the fire and rescue department sirens by adding a voice message.

“When people hear this siren, they are urged to evacuate to safer locations,” he told reporters after launching at the National Climate Forum (FIK) 2024, themed “Northeast Monsoon: Actions and Challenges on the Frontline”, held here yesterday.

Earlier in his speech, Ching highlighted that in 2021 alone, floods displaced 400,000 people and resulted in losses of about RM1.3bil, or 0.4% of the Gross Domestic Product, Bernama reported.

“By making adequate preparations during the northeast monsoon, we can reduce the impact of flood disasters and ensure there is no loss of lives or significant property damage,” he added.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), the government has allocated RM300mil to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for flood preparedness, with an additional RM11.8bil for flood mitigation projects.

In addition, Ching said that as part of the Upgrade Project for Surface Weather Observation Stations, 100 conventional weather stations will be upgraded to advanced auxiliary automated meteorological stations.

“Implementing this project will enhance the capabilities of the existing network and improve continuous weather monitoring, weather forecasting and the timely dissemination of severe weather alerts to the public,” he said.