KOTA BARU: Authorities in Kelantan are setting up more than double the number of flood relief centres as compared to last year to prepare for the northeast monsoon.
Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said 459 flood relief centres would be activated to accomodate more than 186,000 flood victims.
"To show that the state government is serious in facing the coming monsoon season, we have set up 459 flood relief centres which can accomodate more than 186,000 flood victims.
"Last year, we only set up 214 flood relief centres throughout the state," he said in a statement.
He said the agencies have been on standby in terms of logistics and necessities to face the yearly monsoon.
In terms of food supply, Nassuruddin said 17 depots and 160 flood front bases would be set up this year by the state Welfare Department.
"Other logistics assets such as boats, vehicles and tents used this year will also increased from 17,147 units last year to 19,619," he added.
He said 7,209 personnel from various agencies would be on duty during this coming monsoon season.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director-general (Strategy ) Ambun Dindang, had earlier forecast that the 2024/2025 northeast monsoon will begin in November and continue until March 2025, with an expected four to six episodes of prolonged heavy rainfall during this period.
Heavy rainfall is likely to impact Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang between November and December, with Johor, Sabah and Sarawak experiencing increased rainfall from December through January as well.