WITH the Northeast Monsoon forecasted to bring severe rains from December to February, the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is strengthening its disaster response with enhanced evacuation centres and strategic resource deployments.
Deputy Premier cum Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (GPS-Bukit Saban) said Sarawak is expecting the heaviest rainfall between December 2024 and February 2025.
“Malaysia will experience heavy rain from November onwards, with Sarawak expecting the heaviest rainfall between December 2024 and February 2025, particularly in January 2025.
“As a result, the Malaysian Meteorological Department has declared the Northeast Monsoon season from November 2025 until March 2025,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech today.
Uggah said the National Disaster Management Committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, conducted the Northeast Monsoon preparation meeting in Johor Bahru on Oct 3 and the SDMC met on Oct 8 to discuss and prepare for the upcoming Northeast Monsoon.
“Relevant agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), and the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM), are fully prepared and equipped to handle the upcoming monsoons and any potential disasters.
“They are supported by 5,727 personnel, 564 ground assets, 1,269 marine and river assets, 25 air assets, and 154 supporting assets on standby,” he said.
Additionally, he said the Divisional and District Disaster Management Committee and monitoring agencies will remain on full alert to respond to any emergency, while the Sarawak Social Welfare Department has stocked up disaster relief supplies in storage depots, office warehouses, and frontline bases.
“There are 31 forward bases established throughout Sarawak to facilitate the timely distribution of food aid during disasters, especially as part of the preparation for the Monsoon season.
“Meanwhile, 661 temporary evacuation centres located throughout Sarawak can accommodate up to 160,819 disaster victims, and RM2.97 million has been provided to all twelve divisions to improve further and upgrade the active temporary evacuation centres,” he said.
Uggah added that the upgrading works, which will enhance the centres’ readiness and functionality for future emergency situations, are set to be implemented and completed by early 2025 by the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak and other technical agencies.
