PENANG INITIATES COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TO PREPARE FOR FLOOD RISKS

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The state government, through the Penang State Disaster Management Committee, has activated a communication system via a WhatsApp group involving relevant agencies to prepare for any disaster risks, including floods, in identified areas.

State secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long said the government would provide hourly updates on areas experiencing rainfall, rainfall intensity, and flood hotspots through the WhatsApp group.

“We are collaborating with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), which will update weather forecasts every hour, and the State Disaster Management Committee will take action based on the information shared in the WhatsApp group,” he told reporters after the launch of the Penang Information and Complaints System (ePINTAS) – State Environmental Health Action Plan (SEHAP) by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, at the State Legislative Assembly building here today.

Regarding the management of affected areas, district officers, along with village heads, will visit identified flood hotspots. District officers have also activated temporary relief centres so that residents can move to safety as soon as floods occur.

Zulkifli also commented on a report from the National Flood Control and Warning Centre (PRABN), which issued an early warning of possible flooding in 20 river basin areas in Penang from Nov 19 to 21, following continuous rain alerts from METMalaysia.

In addition to monitoring these 20 river basin locations, he said, his team is also closely monitoring other flood-prone areas, including those that were affected by flooding last month.

“We have already identified flood hotspots in Penang, and monitoring has been ongoing since last month. Operation rooms have also been activated to ensure swift management if flooding occurs,” he added.

-- BERNAMA