PUCHONG, Oct 30 (Bernama) — The flooding expected during this year’s Northeast Monsoon (MTL) is unlikely to be as severe as the major floods that struck the country in 2021, which left several areas severely 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 for the Northeast Monsoon, which begins at the end of this month and is expected to continue until March next year.
“Based on current forecasts as of today we anticipate that the 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 proves accurate,” he said following an engagement session with the media regarding the government’s preparedness for the Northeast Monsoon, held here today.
Meor Ismail emphasised that disaster preparedness efforts will not be scaled back, even though initial projections suggest a lower risk of severe flooding during this year’s monsoon season.
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 (APM) are already 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.
Meanwhile, Maqrun Fadzli Mohd Fahmi, director of the National Weather and Earthquake Centre at MET Malaysia, said the current Northeast Monsoon (MTL) is still expected to bring episodes of heavy rain however, there are currently no indications of extreme weather conditions.
He explained that weather monitoring is conducted daily, and MET Malaysia utilises a three-tier heavy rain warning system, yellow, orange, and red issued 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.
— BERNAMA