Be prepared to face high water

MALAYSIA has entered the monsoon transition phase, which will last until the end of November.

During this period, which marks the end of the south-west monsoon that began in May, the country will see many thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds according to Malaysia’s Meteorological Department (Met-Malaysia).

And as we all know from hard-won experience, this type of weather can cause flash floods.

The weatherman also says this year’s weather pattern is accompanied by a La Nina season that will cause higher rainfall in the country.

Normal average rainfall in November is usually 60mm, while the maximum is 180mm. However, MetMalaysia has announced a forecasted average rainfall of around 100mm to 900mm in November for most states in Peninsular Malaysia.

This could lead to floods that are worse than those that hit the peninsula towards the end of last year, say experts.

We cannot assume that the north-east monsoon season from December to March will be confined to the east coast of the pe- ninsula as in the past; rather, the whole country will be affected due to localised impacts of climate change.

So Malaysians nationwide need to be ready for high water, especially those of us living in low-lying areas.

The government has been making its preparations: Last month, the Prime Minister chaired a National Disaster Management Committee meeting attended by Chief Ministers, the Chief Secretary to the Federal Government, all state secretaries, and directors-general and senior management officers of relevant government agencies.

The idea is to avoid a repeat of the devastation the December 2021 floods caused by strengthening all levels of preparedness.

However, there’s a major difference from last year: We are facing the 15th General Election (GE15). So the government must also ensure the safety of everyone from campaign workers to voters should floods hit on polling day, as GE15 is likely to be held in the middle of this transitional monsoon phase.

While safety is a priority, the authorities must also ensure that no one is deprived of his/her fundamental right to vote as a responsible Malaysian, come rain or shine, to choose a new government.

What could help further is public education: Not just reminders of the danger but also what to do in the face of floods and preparing for the possibility of evacuation.

People living in low-lying areas especially must learn survival skills in case help cannot reach them quickly.

Don’t wait to be told what to do when floodwaters rise. We all need to do our bit by making our own preparations. Including preparing to vote in flood conditions.