PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today directed all district disaster management committees (JPBD) to be activated to coordinate immediate response services at all disaster prone areas in view of potential floods due to the northeast monsoon.
Ismail, who chaired the central disaster management committee meeting, said the decision to activate JPBD was agreed during the meeting which was attended by Chief Secretary Zuki Ali, menteris’ besar, chief ministers and state secretaries who serve as state disaster management committee (JPBN) chairmen.
“The function of JPBD is very important to carry out rescue operations as well as provide assistance to victims affected by such disasters in their respective areas while the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and JPBN will act in similar capacities at state and national levels,” he said in a statement issued after the meeting today.
The monsoon season normally brings about heavy rain that causes severe floods in several states, especially those in the east coast.
According to the meteorological department (MET), the monsoon season normally starts from September to November. MET, however, expects the 2022/2023 monsoon season to start in November 2022 and carry on until March 2023.
According to MET’s forecast, heavy rain is expected in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang from November to December 2022 while Johor, Sabah and Sarawak are expected to face the monsoon from December 2022 to January 2023.
In terms of managing flood victims, Ismail said the social welfare department has been directed to activate 6,010 temporary relief centres (PPS) with a total capacity of housing 1,620,855 victims throughout the country.
He added that the government had allocated RM2.59 million to upgrade facilities at all PPS, especially in terms of the number of toilets and bathing facilities.
“The education ministry has also been urged to allow vacant campuses and hostels to be used as shelter centres for those affected by floods or natural disasters, especially senior citizens, children and women,” he said.
He added that the welfare department needed to prepare food for victims during the first 24 hours, as well as essential items like baby and adult pampers for babies and senior citizens, who are evacuated to relief centres.
According to Ismail, Nadma has already distributed 59,350 food kits and 127,272 cubicle tents to ensure relief centres are well equipped and ready to serve flood victims.
He said RM8 million has been allocated for Disaster Operations Management 2022/2023 to JPBN at 160 districts and another RM4.8 million has been allocated to buy 320 fibre boats and engines to assist initial responders during natural disasters.
He added that another 22,622 water assets like boats, boat trailers and jet ski from all agencies throughout the country will be available during the same period.
“All these assets must be well coordinated to ensure rescue operations can be carried out smoothly. JPBN and JPBD must also make sure all early warning systems are efficiently functioning at locations that are disaster prone,” he said.
The prime minister said 79,549 officers and rescue operations personnel at all levels will be on standby to react and provide assistance with the various assets made available. - FMT
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