Swallowed by water: An aerial view showing homes submerged in floodwaters in Kangar, Perlis, where severe flooding has affected thousands following days of heavy rain. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: As flood conditions worsen, authorities are expediting delivery of essential items and assistance to the affected states, says the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
It said early preparations included the supply of food, collapsible cubicle tents (C-Tent) and modular steel bridges (Bailey Bridges).
A total of 60,000 food kits and 110,000 units of Retort Food (MRE) for field personnel and relief operations have been dispatched nationwide.
“In line with increasing flood incidents in Peninsular Malaysia, Nadma has received additional requests from the state disaster management committees of Perak, Selangor and Kedah, and the Social Welfare Department of Perlis, involving 3,000 food kits and 6,700 MRE units to meet the needs of personnel and disaster victims in these states,” it said yesterday.
Nadma is also working with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority to provide phased food supplies during disasters.
As for C-Tent, a total of 128,186 units have been supplied nationwide from various sources, including 41,479 units for Nadma, followed by Yayasan Sultan Johor (40,166), PETRONAS (5,194), Social Welfare Department (39,485) and others (1,862).
“We are also prepared to dispatch additional C-Tents if required on the ground.
“Coordination is being conducted by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force’s headquarters to ensure state-level readiness is maintained at an optimal level,” it said.
To strengthen disaster-related infrastructure recovery capabilities, Nadma has placed seven sets of modular steel bridges at several strategic locations, namely three sets in Sabah, three in Sarawak and one in Kelantan.
Bailey Bridges serve as temporary bridges that can replace permanent bridges damaged or destroyed by natural disasters such as major floods, landslides or other common disasters in the country, particularly during the Northeast Monsoon season.
Meanwhile, MetMalaysia has issued continuous rain warnings for several states, with some areas under dangerous conditions, until today.
A dangerous rain warning is in effect for parts of Terengganu, including Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kemaman.
A severe rain warning has been issued for Besut, Setiu, Kuala Nerus and Hulu Terengganu (Terengganu) as well as Jerantut and Kuantan (Pahang).
Meanwhile, a cautionary rain warning covers wider areas, including Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Manjung, Kinta, Perak Tengah, Kampar, Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak, Batang Padang and Muallim in Perak; the entire state of Kelantan; several districts in Pahang, including Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Bentong, Temerloh, Maran, Bera and Pekan; Selangor; Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur; and Jelebu in Negri Sembilan.
The public is urged to stay updated on weather developments via MetMalaysia’s official website, the myCuaca mobile app, and the department’s official social media channels.
For inquiries, the MetMalaysia hotline can be reached at 1-300-22-1638.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad has urged the public to avoid low-lying areas, zones at high risk of falling trees and unsafe swimming spots.
Meanwhile, the department said it received 49 calls between midnight and 8am yesterday about fallen trees.
