THE National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) today reminded security forces and first responders to be prepared for monsoon rains that are expected to fall next week.

Its director-general Aminuddin Hassim said these teams should coordinate their respective agencies and be prepared for better flood and disaster management.

“With this shared data, I would like to ask our friends from the responders to jointly organise their respective teams to be ready so that we can control the flood incident as best we can. 

“Any information can be directly channelled to Nadma so that we can coordinate from the National Disaster Control Centre,” he said today at a press conference at Nadma’s operations room in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, today. 

“There are early signs of monsoon rains starting Monday, which could potentially cause continuous rain in western Sarawak and eastern Sabah,” said Aminuddin.

Apart from that, the monsoon is also expected to bring floods to the east coast states.

He also said that the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had issued a thunderstorm warning at 1pm today in Pekan and Rompin, Pahang; Klang and Kuala Langat, in Selangor; and Kota Tinggi in Johor.

MetMalaysia also said it forecast there would be thunderstorms on the west coast of the peninsula, west Sarawak and east Sabah. 

“In the late afternoon to evening thunderstorms can occur on the east coast of the peninsula.” 

Nadma and other agencies had come under severe criticism for being caught unprepared in the face of severe flooding in the Klang Valley and several other states due to heavy rain since last Friday.

Financial aid from tomorrow

Aminuddin also said that the government would be handing out RM5,000 to flood victims for funeral arrangements. 

Apart from that, he said RM1,000 would be provided to the head of the family of flood victims, regardless of whether they have been placed at temporary relief centres. 

“Among the eligibility requirements are that the victim must be Malaysian, and have a valid identity card (MyKad). 

“The victims must register their names using the name of their head of family. The registration of the name must be valid, stating whether they were relocated to a temporary relief centre or otherwise. 

“For those who have been relocated, they will have to register with the Social Welfare Department, while those not relocated will have to register with the village development and security committee, Community Management Council, head of community, or their village chief.”

He said the money would be distributed from tomorrow. 

“I have chaired a meeting with the state management committee, and we discussed ways to simplify the process. 

“We will try gathering the details today and God willing, we will start channelling the allocation starting tomorrow.  

“In line with the prime minister’s orders to hasten distribution, the state government is requested to do so as well. 

“If the federal government has upped the pace, we hope the state government will also facilitate the process,” Aminuddin said. – December 23, 2021.