Out of the storm: Civil Defence Force personnel rescuing flood victims in Kampung Beladau Selat in Terengganu after the area was inundated following heavy rains. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia activated all 14 state operations control centres nationwide and 198 district operations control centres following the development of tropical storm Senyar, which made landfall on the coast between Selangor and Negri Sembilan, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is the chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, said although the storm had been downgraded to a low-pressure system, the convergence of winds still had the potential to bring continuous rain in many areas in Peninsular Malaysia in the next 24 hours.
“To ensure full preparedness, state and district disaster operations centres have been opened to coordinate response efforts, evacuations, and information dissemination without delay,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid said he had received a comprehensive briefing from MetMalaysia, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force on the impact of the weather on the people and critical infrastructure.
“This measure allows every development and need on the ground to be addressed in real time by the disaster management agency,” he said.
The Civil Defence Force has mobilised more than 2,000 personnel to patrol and monitor high-risk areas involving floods, storms and strong waves on the coast.
Key assets such as rescue boats, ambulances, 4x4 vehicles, generators, portable water pumps and surveillance drones have also been mobilised to support rescue and evacuation operations where needed, he added.
The government has additionally prepared early emergency supplies, including 30,300 packs of retort food for frontline responders, 88,701 units of portable disaster tents (C-Tents) and 31,480 food kits for affected communities, said Ahmad Zahid.
He also reminded residents in affected and at-risk areas to always follow official warnings from MetMalaysia and the authorities and to comply with evacuation orders if instructed.
“The public is advised to avoid sea and coastal activities due to strong winds and high waves while ensuring that emergency bags are always available and important documents are kept in a safe place.
“I also stress that the public should not spread unverified information that could cause confusion or panic.”
He said the government would continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure that all agencies are on full alert.
“I will follow the developments directly and ensure that all assistance and necessary actions can be implemented quickly for the safety and well-being of the people.”
