Malaysia: No place in Terengganu safe from floods

SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA The Star 2 Dec 16;

KUALA TERENGGANU: The heavy downpour, which hit the state on Tuesday morning and lasted for some eight hours resulting in floods, was a bitter lesson for many who had thought they were living in “safe zones”.

Now, these residents realise that any area can be flooded, even in the least expected places and one has to be prepared for it.

Amir Hamzah Mamat, 37, an entrepreneur from Taman Alamanda 2 here said there were no floods in his area for eight years and he was caught by surprise by the floods four days ago.

“After the rain on Tuesday, many were caught by surprise to see places like our residential area and, worse still, the Sultan Omar road inundated by waters as high as 0.4m,” he said.

He added that many were now more cautious and have started moving their belongings to a safer place.

The state is predicted to face major floods from mid December to January.

Government employee Nurehan Muhamad, 29, said the last thing on her mind was that her house in Taman Tekukur would be flooded.

“My relatives, who also live in “flood free” areas, are also worried.

“Now we know that nothing is certain. The rain can flood any part of the town and residential areas.”

State Civil Defence Department director Lt-Col Che Adam A Rahman said the agency was also observing low-risk or no-risk areas.

He said that due to rapid development in certain areas here and obstruction to water flow, some places, which have never been flooded before, were now affected.

“We are not taking anything for granted and we are closely monitoring the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Flood Task Force chief, Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Fadhli Ahmad said the task force team had decided to include low-risk or no-risk areas into their observation list.

“There is prediction of heavy rain until Saturday which coincides with the high tide phenomenon,” he said.


Northern residents told to be prepared for flash floods, heavy rain expected
MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING New Straits Times 1 Dec 16;

ALOR STAR: Residents living near coastal areas and rivers in the state were urged to stay alert and prepare for the possibility of flood following the issuance of heavy rain warning (Yellow stage) by the Meteorology Department in the northern states, including Kedah, between December 1 and 3.

The Kedah Civil Defence Force (APM) disaster management and operations division officer Major Imran Azimi said that they have made thorough preparations to face any possibility should flash floods occur and the team is in constant contact with relevant agencies including the Meteorology Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) for updates.

“I assure you that we are well prepared to face any possibility of disasters such as flood especially in terms of manpower and assets.

“However, it is also important that the people, especially those living in flood-prone areas, to stay alert and prepare themselves to face the possibility of flood.

“It is also important that they follow our instruction to move to the nearby relief centres should their homes be affected. This is for their own safety,” said Imran.

He added that there are a total of 2,010 APM staff and volunteers in the state who can be deployed immediately should natural disasters such as flash floods occur.