KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has directed the relevant agencies, including the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), Civil Defence Force and security forces, to remain at a high level of readiness following floods in several states.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, emphasised the need for these agencies to stay prepared despite the fact that the Meteorological Department had ended the alert-level continuous heavy rain warning yesterday.
“I pray for the flood victims to find ease and strength in facing this disaster. Similarly, for those staying in flood-prone areas, I encourage you to remain cautious and adhere to the authorities’ instructions,” he posted on Facebook, reported Bernama.
Ahmad Zahid also said he was also constantly monitoring the ongoing floods in Kedah, Perlis, Selangor and Sabah due to the inter-monsoon.
In Alor Setar, the Kedah Malaysian Civil Defence Force foresees the occurrence of stagnant floodwaters in the state should it continue to rain when the high tide hits tomorrow.
Its Disaster Operations Division head Capt (PA) Saifuddin Abdullah said though the weather was clear yesterday, floods might occur in five districts should it rain again.
“The weather seems clear today. I hope this will continue and the water will be able to flow out quickly to the sea but we fear that high tide will occur from Sept 29 to Oct 2. As such, it is hoped that the floodwaters will recede before the high tide.
“If the floodwaters collide with the high tide, several settlements may be flooded and more victims will be evacuated,” he told reporters after checking on the situation at Sungai Anak Bukit, Taman Aman, here yesterday.