ALIZA SHAH New Straits Times 4 Nov 14;
KUALA LUMPUR: THOSE living in the east coast should brace themselves for floods as the monsoon season is expected to start in mid-November.
Meteorological Department commercial and corporate services division director Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said several states in the east coast would experience continuous downpour in two weeks’ time.
“The inter-monsoon season is expected to come to an end in two weeks’ time before the Northeast monsoon kicks in.
“Kelantan and Terengganu will be the first to be hit by floods in November and December, followed by Pahang and Johor in December and January next year,” he said.
“Those in west Sarawak would be the last to be hit by floods, which is expected to last from January until February.”
The department, however, could not determine the exact areas that would be affected as it is too early to tell.
Hisham said they estimated there would be four to five episodes of continuous rain during the four-month Northeast monsoon season, which is expected to end in early March. However, each state may only be hit by episodes of continuous rain just once.
“During the monsoon season, some northern states in the peninsular would also have wet days. But, the intensity of the rain would be less than that experienced in the east coast region.”
Hisham also warned that the current erratic weather in the northern region might continue until the end of the week.
“The weather in the northern region is very active, with the presence of storm clouds, strong winds and heavy downpours. Gusting winds range from 30-100kph and this makes it possible for landspouts to occur.
“However, the one (landspout) that hit Pendang was a rare occurrence. Based on the damage, we estimate the wind to have been around 150kph,” he said, adding that the unstable weather conditions are expected to gradually subside by next week.
Heavy rain and strong winds had on Oct 14 formed a landspout in Kampung Alor Besar and Taman Sri Kota in Kuala Kedah.
In the 4pm incident, several houses in the village and SK Alor Besar’s computer lab and another building within the compound were damaged.
Meanwhile, National Security Council (NSC) secretary Datuk Mohd Tajuddin Abdul Wahab said the council had identified 5,218 evacuation centres nationwide.
“Even though our focus would be more on the flood prone states, we are not taking any chances so preparation is done in every state.
“We briefed all related agencies, including the district police chiefs, firemen, armed forces and the Welfare Department on the timeline of the Northeast monsoon season and the intensity of downpours.”
Tajuddin said NSC had also improved its standard operation procedures based on previous experience in handling floods.
“NSC has taken the lead role, which is to give early warning to rescue agencies in every state as soon as the council is informed of any incoming rain.
“This will give rescue agencies more time to prepare in case of an evacuation. Assets can be deployed earlier to areas that are likely to be flooded.”
