140 FLOOD MONITORING TELEMETRY STATIONS TO BE BUILT, UPGRADED IN KEDAH

ALOR SETAR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The federal government is developing a flood prediction and warning system (PRAB) that includes the construction and upgrading of 140 flood monitoring telemetry stations throughout Kedah.

Kedah Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources and Environment Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff@Munir Zakaria said the project, which is being implemented through the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS), involves a cost of RM10.8 million.

“JPS also collaborates with central agencies such as the Meteorological Department and the Civil Defence Force (APM) to provide weather warnings and current water status of major rivers in Kedah.

“JPS also receives allocations for the Hydrology System Development and Environmental Monitoring Programme from the state government as one of the initiatives to reduce the risk of loss of property and life during floods,” he said during an oral question and answer session at the Kedah State Legislative Assembly sitting, here today.

He was responding to a question by Dr Mohd Suffian Yusoff (PN-Bandar Baharu) who asked about the status of flood mitigation projects, drainage system maintenance, mitigation measures, weather forecasting technology, evacuation centres and cooperation between agencies in dealing with floods.

Mohamad Yusoff said Kedah DID has made various preparations and implemented several steps in facing the flood disaster including establishing a flood monitoring operations room to provide early warning regarding rising water levels.

He said that river conservation works to reduce the risk of flooding throughout Kedah are also being implemented, with RM4.5 million allocated by the state government this year for this purpose.

Meanwhile, he asked the people of Kedah who are currently affected by the floods not to wait until the last minute to move to a safe place.

"Don't wait for the water to reach chest level before panicking and calling the police, fire brigade, APM... with logistics that are quite limited, it causes problems when receiving many calls, so we ourselves have to be prepared," he said.

As of 8 am this morning, a total of 569 residents consisting of 197 families from the Kubang Pasu and Sik districts have been moved to seven temporary evacuation centres in the state.

-- BERNAMA