KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 — The heavy rain that is currently affecting Kelantan and Terengganu is forecast to head towards Pahang, Johor, as well as the western region of Sarawak, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

He said the latest data obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) indicated the second wave of the north-east monsoon 2022/2023 which was previously predicted to last from December 17-21, will extend until December 25.

“Accordingly, the government has requested that the disaster management committees at the respective state and district levels, especially in the hotspot areas for these three states, increase their level of preparedness,” he said after the Felda Global Ventures (FGV) disaster aid donation handover session today.

A mock cheque of RM5 million to be channelled to the National Disaster Assistance Fund (TBBN) was presented by FGV chairman Datuk Zulkifli Wahab to Armizan at the Parliament building during the session.

Meanwhile, Armizan urged the respective disaster management committees to be vigilant of post-rain effects such as soil movement that could bring the risk of landslides, especially in areas near hillslopes.

Commenting on the current flood situation in the country, he said it was still at level two and under control, with regulation still at the level of the respective state disaster management committees.

He said as of 2pm, the number of flood evacuees had increased to 67,214 victims from 18,450 families, who were placed in 469 relief centres involving 20 districts in five states.

He said cumulatively — since the monsoon hit the country in early November — a total of 25,635 families had been placed in relief centres involving 92,157 victims in 11 states.

According to him, the government has also activated the flood operation control centre (PKOB) coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) involving various agencies, and will operate round the clock.

“Apart from receiving reports and monitoring the flood situation in all the states, PKOB at the central level will also take intervention actions such as in Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Rantau Panjang in Kelantan,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the government welcomed any contribution from corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private parties that could be presented to the government or directly to the parties involved.

“At the central level, assistance can be delivered to Nadma, and if assistance is to be delivered directly to the state or district involved, we suggest they contact the disaster committee,” he said. — Bernama