THE Penang government has launched Penang Alert, a portal to disseminate information on disasters and emergencies.

The portal is one of the measures taken by the state government for better preparedness following the November 4 and 5 storm that saw 12,500 people evacuated. It was the state’s worst storm in 30 years, causing over 12,500 people to be evacuated.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the portal would help ensure an orderly, efficient and effective response to emergencies.

He said the portal would provide alerts, news and updates on emergencies as well as information on how those affected should  respond to such situations.

“Penang Alert will help the people be more ready to face disasters, and minimise the obstruction and impact of emergencies.”

The portal is an upgrade and rebranding of the eBencana system that was developed in 2011. The initiative cost RM87,700.

The alert.penang.gov.my portal, also accessible via the Penang government website penang.gov.my. provides information such as river water levels, rainfall readings, flood and tsunami alerts, big fires, main road closures, landslides, storms.

It also lists the numbers of evacuation centres, relief agencies and officers in charge.

“The information on the site will be provided in collaboration with various departments likr the state secretariat, district offices, drainage and irrigation department, public works department, welfare department and the local councils.

“All the information uploaded will be accurate. They will first be confirmed by the relevant agencies and departments before they are announced to the public,” Lim said.

He said the site was the first phase before the state government introduced a mobile app for wider emergency information sharing and reach.

“Of course, how effective Penang Alert is depends on the accuracy of its information and how fast it can be shared with the people.”

The Penang government had blamed its lack of preparedness for last year’s storm, the worst-ever in 30 years, on the  absence of early warning.

Lim had called on the Meteorological Department to improve its early warning system and accuracy of its weather forecast. – March 7, 2018.