KOTA BARU: Villagers in several areas here have started to clear their drains as preparation for the upcoming Northeast Monsoon which is expected to bring four to six episodes of heavy rains.
The two-day 'gotong-royong perdana' which was held along Dusun Muda and its surrounding areas, ended yesterday.
It was jointly organised between the Kelantan State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Kota Baru Municipal Council, and the Kota Baru and Kota Lama service centres.
SEDC's chief executive officer Datuk Zamri Ismail said about 100 villagers took part in the activities.
"Apart from the villagers, staff from both service centres as well as the council's workers took part in the programme.
"The programme was to ensure all drains were cleaned before the rainy season starts," he added.
He said officers from the state Drainage and Irrigation Department also attended the programme.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director-general (Strategic), Ambun Dindang had said the upcoming monsoon season would bring about four to six significant episodes of continuous heavy rainfall, especially on the East Coast.
He said the Northeast Monsoon heavy rains would occur in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang between November and December.
The season itself is expected to start in November and last until March next year.
Ambun added that continuous rains might occur in the West Coast states if there is a strong monsoon surge or the presence of a low-pressure system in the region.
He added that during the season, the National Weather and Geophysics Operations Centre, operating 24 hours a day, will provide information, weather forecasts, and severe weather warnings when necessary.