Malaysia: Nationwide alert for floods

The Star 3 Dec 14;

PETALING JAYA: With the north-east monsoon in full swing, the country is on the alert for floods.

Already, several areas in Selangor, Labuan, Perak and other places are reporting flash floods and landslides.

In Labuan, heavy and incessant rain yesterday caused flash floods in several low-lying areas, such as Taman Mahkota Impian and housing estates along Jalan Pantai.

The rain also caused monsoon drains to overflow and the water to seep into several houses. Boat journeys from Menumbok to Labuan were also affected.

Labuan Fire and Rescue Department director Zainal Madasin said he had instructed his men to be prepared for any eventuality, including landslides.

He also advised speed boat operators ferrying people to be more careful, saying that the current weather was likely to bring strong winds and high waves.

In Slim River, heavy rain caused part of Jalan Kuala Slim here to cave in, making it impassable to traffic.

Md Zain Mohd Saedin, the head of the Slim River Fire and Rescue Department, said the collapsed portion of the road was estimated to be some 34m long and 45m deep.

“The road connecting Slim River town to Kampung Kuala Slim was immediately closed to motorists,” he said, adding that no one was injured in the incident.

“The Public Works Department is monitoring that stretch of road for further soil movement although things appear to be stable for now.”

Some 1,000 villagers believed to be affected by the incident would have to use a longer diversion to get to the town area.

In Hulu Bernam, 187 people were still at the two flood relief centres despite reports that water had receded.

The National Security Council portal reported that 177 evacuees were housed at the Geo Kosmo National Service Training Centre while the rest were at Sekolah Kebangsaan Hulu Bernam.

According to the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department official Facebook page, the areas affected were Hulu Bernam Selatan, Kampung Sungai Kerian, Kampung Hassan, Hulu Bernam Utara, Kampung Lalang, Kampung Gesir Tengah, Kampung Sri Pagi and Kampung Nilam.

In Kuantan, Pahang Regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said all elected representatives must lead by example and play their part in helping to keep drains clean.

He said if drains were kept clean, there was less likelihood of floods occurring.

“To the local councils and district offices, I have told them to step it up when it comes to maintenance.

“The elected representatives have to go down to the ground and check things out directly,” he said after being briefed on the state’s flood preparations at Wisma Sri Pahang here yesterday.

Also present were Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and State Secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail.