Let’s ride out the storm together safely

THE monsoon is back, bringing the usual downpours and floods.

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), this season is expected to last until March 2026, with a “weak La Nina potentially bringing wetter-than-usual conditions to parts of the country”.

While the return of the rains is an annual certainty in Malaysia, complacency is a risk we cannot afford.

The recent forecasting of continuous heavy rainfall episodes – particularly in Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Sabah and Terengganu – serves as a stark reminder that nature’s schedule does not pause for our convenience.

As the waters rise, the first rule of survival is simple but often forgotten in the heat of the moment: keep calm.

Panic is the enemy of preparedness.

Instead of reacting frantically when floodwaters breach the doorstep, families should have their “go bags” packed with documents, medicines, clothes and other necessary items well in advance (it’s a good idea to wrap items inside the bag in plastic in case the bag gets dunked).

Take only necessary items in one bag – rescue vehicles and boats often do not have a lot of space to spare, and neither do relief centres.

Knowing where your nearest relief centre is and having a plan to move assets to higher ground can turn a chaotic evacuation into a manageable one.

However, physical preparedness is only half the battle.

We must also be vigilant about the safety of our most vulnerable: our children.

Every year, we hear stories of preventable mishaps and tragedies during the floods.

For children, rising waters often look like a swimming pool or a playground rather than a hazard.

Parents and guardians must keep a hawk’s eye on their little ones during this period.

Floodwaters are dangerous.

Swift currents in drains and canals can sweep a child away in seconds.

Even stagnant water poses threats, hiding open manholes or carrying water-borne diseases like leptospirosis and dengue.

The monsoon “mini waterpark” that children find so fascinating is a death trap.

We must strictly enforce the rule: no playing near drains, rivers or floodwaters – not even in the formerly safe front yard, as we learnt the hard way when three siblings were electrocuted in floodwaters in Tumpat, Kelantan, in 2022.

The deployment of 29 rapid response teams by the Fire and Rescue Department shows that the authorities are on high alert.

But the authorities cannot be everywhere at once.

The first line of defence is the community itself.

Let us navigate this monsoon season with a clear head and a watchful eye.

By staying calm, staying alert and keeping our children safe from the water’s edge, we can ensure that we ride out the storm together, unharmed.