KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department will work with media groups to disseminate information on weather related warnings to communities living in rural areas.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said this is to ensure people would be ready to face worse case scenarios.
“We have received cooperation from RTM, Bernama as well as TV3 to ensure the dissemination of warning reaches all areas.
“All the media groups have also agreed to immediately air any warnings given by the department,” Madius said during the question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.
He also said his ministry was aware on technical issues in on the department’s website whenever the online traffic increases, and is currently rectifying it.
Madius said the department would also make sure its operational team moves around the country to ensure effective monitoring throughout the Northeast Monsoon season, besides operating 24 hours a day.
He said at state levels, briefing on weather reports and warnings would be presented to respective disaster management agencies to be better prepared.
As for the Northeast Monsoon season, states in the east coast of the peninsula and west Sarawak, heavy rainfall is expected.
However, no atmospheric factors are expected to affect the monsoon pattern this time, although the heavy rain may cause flood at certain areas.
For November and December this year, the states in the peninsula is expected to record a rainfall of 700mm. As for Sabah, a rainfall of 450mm is expected while for most areas in Sarawak, the estimated rainfall is at 350mm. -- Reporting by Arfa Yunus, Fernando Fong and Beatrice Nita Jay