Malaysia: Monsoon surge to begin on Jan 7 or Jan 8 -- MET

New Straits Times 3 Jun 15;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) anticipates monsoon surge to begin on Jan 7 or 8, with possible continuous heavy rainfall up to three days over certain states, especially Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

Its director-general, Datuk Che Gayah Ismail, however, said that the exact date could only be determined two or three days before it began.

“Normally, monsoon surge occur four or five times during the monsoon season. This year, it began in November 2014 and is expected to end by March 2015,” she told Bernama today.

Che Gayah also said the department had stationed a meteorologist at the National Security Council to provide the officials with latest information on current weather phenomenon, including the monsoon surges.

“We will also update from time to time the information on our official website www.met.gov.my or on our page on Facebook and Twitter,” she said.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has cautioned the public living in flood-prone areas to keep themselves updated on weather reports, in view of a monsoon rain predicted to hit the country on Wednesday and Thursday.

Its minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin in a statement today said his ministry, through the Meteorological Department, would continue to monitor weather conditions nationwide, including in Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

"Any updates and information regarding the latest weather will be informed to the authorities and this will then be disseminated to the masses," he said.

Ebin also advised the public not to proceed with recreational activities or water sports, after the department had issued a category two strong winds and rough seas warning that would continue until tomorrow.

The affected areas include Pahang, east Johor, Sarawak, Sabah (inlands, west coast and Kudat) and Labuan.

Floods: Johor evacuees drop to 86, all roads fully accessible
BEN TAN New Straits Times 3 Jan 15;

JOHOR BARU: The latest number of flood victims in Johor has dropped to 86 from an earlier figure of 116 today.

As of 4pm, Segamat district registered the most number of evacuees with 58 victims reported from 13 families in four temporary flood relief centres.

The Johor National Security Council (NSC) reported that the centres in Segamat are located mainly in the Buloh Kasap and Gemereh areas.

Those still operating are: SK Kg Spang Loi, Balairaya Kg Batu Badak, Balairaya Kg Tandung and Balairaya Kg Sanglang.

Batu Pahat registered a total of 28 flood victims from five families in only one centre at SK Kota Dalam in Ayer Hitam. The district has maintained the number of flood victims since this afternoon.

Besides the two affected districts, a Johor NSC spokesperson said there were no other temporary flood relief centres open in other areas in the state as the weather had continues to improve.

"At present, there are no road closures or detours as all roads in the state are fully accessible to motorists," said the spokesperson.

Many stunned by floodwaters
BEH YUEN HUI, FARIK ZOLKEPLI, P. ARUNA, AUSTIN CAMOENS, ONG HAN SEAN, D. KANYA KUMARI, NICHOLAS CHENG, NATA SHA JOIBI, CHRISTINE CHEAH, AND ADRIAN CHAN
The Star 4 Jan 15;

TEMERLOH: Those who were born and bred here say that they have never seen anything like last month’s flood that hit their area.

G. Naganesan, 35, described Taman Bahagia and Taman Bahagia Baru, along with the rest of Temerloh, as “turning into an island” due to the swollen Sungai Pahang.

He was among those who braved neck-deep waters to deli­ver food to victims stranded in their homes.

He has also been coordinating with 4x4 groups and other volunteers since the floods inundated much of Temerloh after Christmas.

“The entire residential area became like a river, with water carrying with it furniture and even motorcycles,” he said.

“I was born here and I grew up here. We have never seen anything like this before,” said Naga­nesan, who works in a Mentakab bank.

With the help of his friends from other towns, he managed to gather enough supplies to distribute to the residents.

“Temerloh town has been without electricity since Dec 26,” he said.

“Some residents did not receive any supply during the first few days. Some had to travel all the way to Lanchang – about 30km away – just to buy milk for their babies,” said Naganesan.

Looking back, he said he learnt a lot from the tragedy.

“When we first received aid, we just gave it away.

“However, some residents got something, while others did not,” he said.

“Quarrels broke out among the affected residents as they jostled to grab for the essential items.”

It was then that Naganesan and his friends decided that these items needed to be repacked before being handed out.

“It ensured that no family was left out,” he added.

The ugly side of the people surfaced when aid workers delivered relief supplies.

“We sent rice, eggs, instant noodles and sardines but they asked for soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and even cigarettes!

“We did go back with soap and candles but we did not buy shampoo and cigarettes,” he said, adding that other than greed, some only shared excess supplies with people of their own race.

Others were picky, taking only clothing which were “nice” and rejecting others, said Naganesan.

He said those living in bungalows fled to higher grounds.

“Some left their maids and pets behind,” he added.

Areas around Mentakab are already accessible, except for Batu Kapur, which is near Sungai Semantan.

“Water level in Sungai Pahang is still high, affecting areas from Temerloh to Teriang,” said Naga­nesan.

“Usually, it is only areas like Lanchang and Karak that get flooded, but this time, these areas were not affected.”