Malaysia: Second wave of floods likely to hit 3 states

Audrey Dermawan and Tharanya Arumugan New Straits Times 16 Dec 13;

WARNING: Heavy rain expected in Johor, Terengganu Pahang next week

KUALA LUMPUR: THE Malaysian Meteorological Department yesterday issued a yellow-level warning (heavy rain) for Terengganu (Dungun and Kemaman), Pahang (Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin) and Johor (Segamat and Mersing).

Its central forecast division director, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, said the third episode of heavy rain expected to occur from Wednesday to Friday would cause a second wave of floods.

He said intermittent rain was expected and this may cause floods at low-lying areas.

"The department has predicted downpour in the three states. It is yet to be known whether there will be heavy rain in Kelantan.

"We will issue an advisory on the level of warning (yellow, orange or red) should there be heavy rain in other states.

"We advise the public to be alert and to be up-to-date with the latest developments through our website and Facebook page."

The public should heed the advice of local authorities on evacuation plans if the situation took a turn for the worse, he said.

Helmi said the downpour would coincide with the presence of the full moon on Tuesday. It would result in unusually high tides that may cause flooding.

Meanwhile, all enforcement agencies, tasked with assisting flood victims, would mobilise their assets when the time comes.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police, Malaysian Civil Defence Department (JPAM), Rela and other agencies, such as the National Registration Department, were on standby.

He said he had spoken to the armed forces regarding the use of its high-capacity Tetra lorries.
"This time, we are better prepared. With the armed forces roped in, it will be an integrated operation," he said when commenting on preparations for the second wave of floods.

Zahid said they had also requested the use of mobile kitchens and to get JPAM volunteers to cook for victims.

Reports received by the National Security Council stated that high tides in the east coast were expected between today and Saturday.

Preparing for 2nd wave
T. N. Alagesh and Hashini Kavishtri Kannan New Straits Times 18 Dec 13;

YELLOW ALERT: Residents on east coast expecting more floods

KUALA LUMPUR: PEOPLE in the affected areas should be prepared for floods should the intensity of rainfall increase today.

This advice from the Meteorological Department added that the Yellow alert would shift to Orange, signalling the possible start of the second round of floods in the east coast.
"We can detect intensity on our radar only when the situation occurs from our observation and the meteorological stations," said weather forecast centre director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah.

"It is too early to predict how much rainfall to expect. Usually 24 to 48 hours prior to the event, the Yellow alert is set and we will maintain this based on the intensity of the rain."
The highest rainfall recorded was 300mm in a day, which occurred in two consecutive days.

Residents in Terengganu, Pahang and Johor have been advised to prepare for the second wave of heavy rain, from today until Friday. High tides and strong winds in the South China Sea were also expected during this period.

In Bandar Baru Bangi, Welfare Department director-general Datuk Norani Mohd Hashim said it was prepared for the worst based on reports the second wave of floods in the east coast was likely to begin today.

"We have replenished food and other basic supplies at 513 distribution bases and five depots nationwide."

She said more than 5,000 volunteers registered under the department would be deployed to help victims when the floods reoccur.

Norani said 30,000 flood victims had been identified for the RM500 cash aid. She said the department was updating data on those eligible for aid, and once completed, the list would be submitted to the National Security Council for the dispersion of aid.

Norani said the data update would be completed by the end of this week and the distribution of aid to follow.

"We need to make sure only those eligible receive the cash aid. We also have to be careful as one house may not be occupied by just one family but two or three families," she said after the 13th Convocation of the Bangi Industrial Training And Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled here yesterday.

In Kuantan, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deployed six helicopters to assist in relief and rescue efforts in the event of the second wave of floods.

Its director-general Maritime, Admiral Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish, said the agency would station its helicopters -- three Agusta Westland 136 and three Eurocopter Dauphin -- on standby at the air operation branch in Subang to be deployed in case of floods.

"Two units will be used for the agency's routine duties, including patrolling the country's waters, and one will be deployed to flood- hit areas, if required.

"Four other helicopters will be on standby for mercy flights, humanitarian efforts, transporting aid to areas inaccessible by trucks and boats, and search and rescue operations.
"Our assets were involved in distributing aid to flood-hit areas during the first wave of floods that affected the east coast early this month.

"We will continue to work with government agencies, including police and military, to assist during the floods," he said after the passing-out parade of 53 MMEA trainee officers at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy in Gebeng yesterday.

Amdan said MMEA's involvement in providing logistic support in flood-stricken areas did not affect the agency's existing responsibilities in deploying its assets and personnel to patrol the country's waters.

Present yesterday was Eastern Region MMEA enforcement chief, First Admiral Datuk Nasir Adam.

Additional reporting by Fazleena Aziz