TROPICAL STORM SENYAR: GOVT ACTIVATES OPERATIONAL CONTROL IN ALL STATES, MORE THAN 2,000 MEMBERS MOBILISED

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The government has fully activated the State Operations Control Centres in 14 states and 198 District Operations Control Centres following the development of Tropical Storm Senyar which made landfall on the coast between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan at 12.30 midnight last night.

Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that although the storm had been downgraded to a low-pressure system, the convergence of winds still had the potential to bring continuous rain in many areas in Peninsular Malaysia in the next 24 hours.

Ahmad Zahid said that as chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP), he had received a comprehensive briefing from MetMalaysia, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) on the impact of the weather on the people and critical infrastructure.

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According to him, the Disaster Operations Control Centres at the state and district levels were also opened to ensure that operational coordination, evacuation of victims and dissemination of information could be carried out without delay.

"This measure allows every development and need on the ground to be addressed in real time by the disaster management agency," he said in a statement today.

APM, he said, has mobilised more than 2,000 personnel to patrol and monitor high-risk areas involving floods, storms and strong waves on the coast.

Important assets including rescue boats, ambulances, 4x4 vehicles, generators, mobile water pumps and monitoring drones have also been deployed to ensure that rescue, evacuation and emergency aid operations can be carried out immediately.

The government, according to Zahid, also emphasised the welfare of victims and disaster workers by providing 30,300 retort food packs, 88,701 C-Tent units and 31,480 victim food kits as initial emergency stocks at identified locations.

Ahmad Zahid also reminded residents in affected areas and at-risk areas to always follow official warnings from MetMalaysia, NADMA, APM and authorities and to comply with evacuation orders if instructed.

"The public is advised to avoid sea and coastal activities due to strong winds and high waves, while ensuring that emergency bags are always available and important documents are kept in a safe place.

"I also stress that the public should not spread unverified information that could cause confusion or panic," he said.

He said the government would continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure that all agencies are on full alert.

"I myself will follow the developments directly and ensure that all assistance and necessary actions can be implemented quickly for the safety and well-being of the people," he said.

-- BERNAMA