Monsoon storms expected to lash northern, east coast states and east Sabah until Dec 24, says minister

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 18 — The current monsoon experienced in the country is expected to last until Dec 24, potentially bringing strong winds, big waves and persistent rainfall in the northern, east coast states of the peninsula and east of Sabah.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said reports received by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) from the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) earlier this evening said that the situation will also cause big waves at the South China Sea.

“Following this, MetMalaysia issued a persistent rain warning involving Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor until Dec 21 and a warning of strong winds and turbulent seas in the South China Sea until Dec 22,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Armizan said the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) coordinated by Nadma was activated this morning.

Following this, he said, all state PKOB have been directed to inform Central PKOB of any needs and issues that require immediate intervention to ensure a smooth management response.

According to the Welfare Department (JKM) Disaster Info application as of 8.40 pm, the number of flood victims nationwide continued to rise to 10,347 victims from 3,081 families.

They have been placed at 149 temporary evacuation centre (PPS) in six states in which is 58 PPS in Kelantan, Johor (three), Terengganu (84), Perak (two) and one each in Sarawak, and Pahang.

At the same time, as of 2 pm, reports were received regarding slope landslips and sunken roads and damaged bridges at 51 locations.

He said the incidents involved 18 districts in Terengganu, Kelantan (16), four each in Kedah, Negri Sembilan and Pahang, Johor (three) and one each in Perak and Selangor involving 18 Federal roads and 33 state roads.

Following this, Armizan advised residents, especially in flooded areas to be vigilant and follow the instructions of the authorities.

The public can get current information and warnings via http://publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my website, Facebook: PubliclnfoBanjir and Twitter @JPS InfoBanjir and myCuaca app on Google Play and App Store for the latest weather information from MET Malaysia. — Bernama