PUCHONG: The floods expected in this year’s Northeast Monsoon are unlikely to be as severe as those that struck the country in 2021, which left several areas in the Klang Valley and Pahang badly affected.
National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim said this assessment is based on information from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) regarding rainfall forecasts.
The monsoon, which started earlier this week, is expected to end in March next year.
“Based on current forecasts, we anticipate flooding this year will be minimal. MetMalaysia indicates that both the extent of the flooding and its overall impact will be at their lowest; I certainly hope this forecast is accurate,” he told the media regarding the government’s preparedness for the monsoon here yesterday.
Meor Ismail emphasised that disaster preparedness efforts will not be scaled back, even though initial projections suggest a lower risk of severe flooding this year.
He noted that experience gained from managing flood operations over the past five years shows that areas rarely affected by floods are actually more concerning, as both local residents and relevant agencies may be less prepared to handle such situations.
“In areas prone to frequent flooding, I have observed that their level of preparedness is generally good. District offices, the police, the local fire department and the Civil Defence Force are well accustomed to their respective response protocols.
“However, it is the areas experiencing flooding for the first time that cause me greater concern.
“I am concerned that some might become complacent if forecasts suggest a lower risk of flooding,” he said, Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, Maqrun Fadzli Mohd Fahmi, director of the National Weather and Earthquake Centre at MetMalaysia, said although the current monsoon is still expected to bring episodes of heavy rain, there are currently no indications of extreme weather conditions.
He said weather monitoring is conducted daily and MetMalaysia utilises a three-tier heavy rain warning system – yellow, orange and red – based on the anticipated intensity of the rainfall.
He added that these warnings are typically issued one to three days in advance, provided there is a high level of confidence regarding the potential for heavy rain.
PUCHONG: The floods expected in this year’s Northeast Monsoon are unlikely to be as severe as those that struck the country in 2021, which left several areas in the Klang Valley and Pahang badly affected.
National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim said this assessment is based on information from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) regarding rainfall forecasts.
The monsoon, which started earlier this week, is expected to end in March next year.
“Based on current forecasts, we anticipate flooding this year will be minimal. MetMalaysia indicates that both the extent of the flooding and its overall impact will be at their lowest; I certainly hope this forecast is accurate,” he told the media regarding the government’s preparedness for the monsoon here yesterday.
Meor Ismail emphasised that disaster preparedness efforts will not be scaled back, even though initial projections suggest a lower risk of severe flooding this year.
He noted that experience gained from managing flood operations over the past five years shows that areas rarely affected by floods are actually more concerning, as both local residents and relevant agencies may be less prepared to handle such situations.
“In areas prone to frequent flooding, I have observed that their level of preparedness is generally good. District offices, the police, the local fire department and the Civil Defence Force are well accustomed to their respective response protocols.
“However, it is the areas experiencing flooding for the first time that cause me greater concern.
“I am concerned that some might become complacent if forecasts suggest a lower risk of flooding,” he said, Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, Maqrun Fadzli Mohd Fahmi, director of the National Weather and Earthquake Centre at MetMalaysia, said although the current monsoon is still expected to bring episodes of heavy rain, there are currently no indications of extreme weather conditions.
He said weather monitoring is conducted daily and MetMalaysia utilises a three-tier heavy rain warning system – yellow, orange and red – based on the anticipated intensity of the rainfall.
He added that these warnings are typically issued one to three days in advance, provided there is a high level of confidence regarding the potential for heavy rain.
