PUCHONG: Temporary evacuation centres (PPS) will operate as per pre-pandemic periods should floods occur this year.
Natural Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) deputy director-general (Operations), Meor Ismail Meor Akim, said the standard operating procedures in the PPS will be implemented in accordance with the Health Ministry's recommendations.
He said for example, as per the Health Ministry's directive, the wearing of face masks by evacuees will be optional.
"All PPS will also operate at full capacity. Evacuees will also be allowed to cook together as the SOP has been loosened," he told reporters at a briefing session on natural disaster management today.
Meanwhile, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) director-general Datuk Dr Md Nasir Md Noh said the department had upgraded its flood early warning system.
He said they have increased the volume and duration of the sirens, which will not sound for two minutes and followed by an announcement.
"Previously, some members of the public had mistaken the sound for ambulance sirens, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We have also increased the number of sirens from more than 300 to more than 500, which is equivalent to 10 per cent of the hotspots, covering the critical areas," he said.
He said DID has also upgraded flood banks around the country to enhance protection.
"Last year, the total amount of rainfall was similar to previous years, but what made it worse was because the rains were followed by a typhoon, which was unexpected.
"Dams had to conduct emergency water discharges due to the unprecedented phenomenon which led to overflowing in Sungai Klang.
"The design of our flood banks did not take into consideration typhoons because typhoons do not usually occur in December. After last year's experience, we have enhanced our protection level.
"Flood banks at rivers, dams and beaches have been doubled from 100 per cent to 200 per cent while those in cities have increased from 50 per cent to 100 per cent," he said.