PREPAREDNESS FOR TACKLING FLOODS AT HIGHEST LEVEL -- AHMAD ZAHID

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Preparedness for addressing floods at all stages has now been elevated to its highest level, as the disaster is expected to be more severe than in 2014, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Chairman of the National  Disaster Management Committee, said  82,794 personnel have been deployed to tackle the calamity in the flood-prone states, especially in the East Coast.

  He said  that the government has identified 8,481 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) capable of accommodating 2.1 million evacuees nationwide in preparation for this year's Northeast Monsoon (MTL).

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"In Kelantan alone, we have 448 PPS that can accommodate 175,000 people, while in Terengganu, 749 PPS can cater to approximately 214,000 evacuees.

"Given the severity of the situation, all parties have been mobilised to ensure the safety and welfare of flood victims," he told a press conference after chairing an emergency flood disaster meeting here today.

He added that various assets from security forces have been deployed, including 2,031 rescue boats, 1,399 four-wheel-drive vehicles and 31 helicopters.

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The floods in 2014, described as the worst in decades, claimed 21 lives and saw the evacuation of more than 500,000 people, mainly in Kelantan.

Ahmad Zahid also called on all government agencies and departments to postpone any meetings or courses in Kelantan and Terengganu, which are currently hit by floods.

"This is to prevent them from being caught in the disaster themselves, and we also request that hotels and accommodations give priority to rescue officers and personnel this year," he said.

Regarding the flood situation in Kelantan, Ahmad Zahid said that he has been in contact with Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud to facilitate coordination between the federal and state governments in managing the flood operations.

"At present, Kelantan is worst affected (by floods), and the hardest-hit districts are Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah. (Thus) cooperation between all parties is absolutely necessary," he said.

Meanwhile, he said that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have also been involved in the flood response due to their various skills, which can be particularly useful at temporary evacuation centres (PPS).

He added that locations not registered as PPS are allowed to be opened as temporary shelters at the discretion of district officers to ensure the welfare of flood victims is safeguarded.

"... (This is because) there are areas where flooding was unexpected, and no PPS was available. Therefore, we allow them to open. This depends on the criteria used by the chairmen of district or subdistrict disaster committees," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed his appreciation to all parties and agencies involved in the preparations for the Northeast Monsoon (MTL), which he described as better this year.

He emphasised that residents in affected areas will remain a top priority throughout the MTL period, which is expected to last until March next year.

-- BERNAMA