PETALING JAYA: A year-round early flood warning system will be set up to alert the public via SMS, says Nadma director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus.
He said that his agency (National Disaster Management Agency) would be working together with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Malaysia Meteorological Department, Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and telecommunication companies to create the system.
The system is also to be funded by the telecommunication companies, he said.
The telecommunications companies involved include CelcomDigi, Maxis, UMobile, TM/Webe, YTL, Time, DNB, XOX (Celcom Network), Tune Talk, redONE Network, BeONE Network (Celcom Network) and Valyou/HelloSim Network (Celcom Network).
“All the involved telecommunications companies have agreed to fully bear the cost of the SMS alerts as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“These telecommunications companies will receive advance notice from the National Disaster Control Centre (NDCC), Nadma.
"Once the NDCC receives flood warnings from the DID, the alerts will be flashed out to residents in areas at risk of flooding," said Khairul.
He said this was on top of the various initial steps, which have been taken to prepare for potential flood disasters, including coordinating integrated disaster management at the district and state levels.
“One key element of preparedness that needs attention is communication.
“These telecommunications companies will assist in spreading flood advisories and warnings for free. This service is crucial to raising awareness among affected communities, encouraging them to take immediate precautions,” he added.
He stated that the telecommunications companies have also empowered the base station sites at 442 locations as of October 2024.
“As an improvement, Nadma reminds all telecommunications companies to continuously monitor high-risk areas and provide backup power generators and mobile base station towers to minimise service disruptions.
“All telecommunications companies have agreed to improve the content of the Flood Warning SMS to make it easier for the public to understand the flood situation in their areas,” said Khairul.
An example of the SMS that will be sent to potential victims would be: “Nadma: Flood expected in villages in Sik District from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, 28/10/2024. Visit the Nadma disaster portal for more information.”
During the last northeast monsoon, a total of 5,033,286 flood warning SMS alerts were issued to target groups by all telecommunications companies.
“Starting this year, the flood alerts will continue throughout the year, not just during the northeast monsoon season,” said Khairul.
