DEPUTY Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today visited flood-hit areas in Penang with the state’s leaders.

He arrived at the Butterworth Air Force Base at 10.20am and was met by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim was seen hugging Zahid when the latter alighted from the helicopter.

Zahid then visited an evacuation centre in Guar Perahu, Permatang Pauh, where he spent time speaking with the 365 flood victims there.

Later, Zahid visited evacuation centres at SK Padang Menora in Tasek Gelugor and SK Bertam Indah in Kepala Batas.

Zahid said after the visit to SK Bertam Indah that he wanted 100% preparedness in early evacuations of flood victims in the second and third wave of inclement weather expected to persist until next February.

Zahid said data from the Meteorological Department should enable evacuations a week before heavy rain or strong winds occur.    

“As chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, I will use the Kemamam Floods Management Plan method as a model as it predicts weather events a week before it occurs. The physical evacuation is done three days before it occurs,” he said.

On his visit to flood-affected areas in Penang, he said facilities and assistance for flood victims in the state was on a scale of seven out of 10, and the federal government would ensure all essential items and equipment be channeled to them.

“Since the situation that happened in Penang was unexpected, the facilities and equipment could not be supplied to all victims who have been evacuated. I hope Shahidan can help the Penang chief minister and state government carry out coordinated relief efforts,” he said.

He also instructed that registration of evacuated flood victims be completed by 10am tomorrow so that there are no delays in extending aid.

Zahid also said the efforts of the government to assist the Penang DAP government clearly showed that political differences did not prevent those at the top and grassroot levels from channelling aid to flood victims. 

Meanwhile, Lim said the Penang DAP government would give its full cooperation to the federal government to ensure everyone affected by the floods received the necessary relief.

“I would like to thank  Zahid, who not only spent time but cancelled seven of his programmes so that he could monitor the flood situation and strong winds in the state. We appreciate his presence and are grateful for several announcements made by him on the aid given,” he said.

Heavy rain lashed Penang for some 15 hours on Saturday, and the strong winds that came with it wreaked havoc and created floods in Penang. – Bernama, November 6, 2017.