KUALA LUMPUR: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has mobilised nearly 102,000 personnel from various departments and agencies, along with 40,000 operational assets, in preparation for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon.
Nadma deputy operations director Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar said the preparations also included 8,321 temporary relief centres nationwide, with a combined capacity of up to 1.9 million flood victims.
"Among the assets prepared are around 2,450 boats and more than 3,000 four-wheel-drive vehicles and lorries, in addition to various other supporting assets.
"We have also prepared 170,000 ready-to-eat meals as initial food supplies for victims upon their arrival at relief centres, as well as 60,000 food kits containing essential items to be distributed to victims when they return to their homes," he said on Wednesday (Nov 11).
Commenting on ground-level operational coordination, Abdul Gapar said district officers are responsible for mobilising initial flood response by activating the District Disaster Operations Control Centre.
Meanwhile, the Incident Command Centre is headed by a Disaster Operations Commander, who is the district police chief, with the district Fire and Rescue Station chief serving as the deputy. The Malaysian Civil Defence Force will assist in coordinating rescue and evacuation operations.
"Apart from rescue agencies, Nadma also mobilises community leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local communities through the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) programme to support rescue operations and the management of relief centres," he said.
At the same time, Abdul Gapar encouraged members of the public to download the Malaysia Disaster Information Management System (MyDIMS) application, launched by Nadma on April 24, to obtain disaster-related information.
He said the application sends notifications when users are within a 10km radius of a disaster-affected area. It also consolidates weather information, disaster updates and the locations of relief centres, including navigation guidance to these centres.
In addition, residents living in high-risk areas were reminded to keep emergency bags ready, containing important documents such as identity cards and passports, basic medication, food and drinking water supplies, as well as suitable clothing, in preparation for possible flooding. - Bernama
