Three districts in Pahang to bear the brunt of Sonamu storm

KUANTAN - Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin in Pahang are the districts most likely to be flooded during the tropical storm Sonamu which is forecast to hit the east coast states starting today.

As such, Pahang State Secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail said 66 flood relief centres would be opened in Kuantan, 84 in Pekan and 31 in Rompin.

All district officers have also been instructed to inform heads of villages and village security and development committees to make necessary arrangements and preparations, he told reporters here.

Muhammad Safian, who is also Pahang Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the state would also receive assistance from the Armed Forces to face the situation.

A team of Johor-based Armed Forces personnel has already been stationed at the 4th Brigade Camp in Kuantan and they will be the first to offer aid and assistance in the storm-hit districts, he said after chairing the committee meeting here on Sunday night.

Muhammad Safian said three Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) helicopters had also been put on standby to help the victims. The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) had also given assurance to help affected residents and tourists in resort islands.

He also reminded mining and logging workers, as well as fishermen, not to go to high-risk areas during the tropical storm.

The Meteorology Department has forecasted tropical storm Sonamu to strike the east coast states from today and would also hit Pahang between Jan 9 and 10 with wind speed of up to 40km per hour.

– Bernama