Selangor Journal
Road users are seen stranded in Section 21, Shah Alam, following heavy rains which lead to flooding in several areas in the Klang Valley, on December 19, 2021. — Picture by BERNAMA

Selangor prepares to face north-east monsoon in November

By Selangor Journal Team

SHAH ALAM, Sept 14 — The Selangor state agencies and departments are called to gear up for the upcoming north-east monsoon season, which is expected to begin in early November.

In an official directive issued by the Selangor state secretariat and signed by state secretary Dato’ Haris Kasim, the monsoon season is expected to bring more rainfall that could lead to floods, flash floods, storms and landslides in the state.

According to the directive, the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) had identified 87 flood hotspots throughout the state’s nine districts.

Five districts, namely Klang, Sepang, Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Langat and Petaling, are also at risk in facing high tide phenomenon.

“The administration requests that all District Disaster Management Committees (JPBD) in Selangor prepare for the north-east monsoon season based on the National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20 (Revised) Policy and National Disaster Management Mechanism.

“The disaster operations room at the district level and local authorities are also requested to provide and report disaster-related information to the Smart Selangor Operations Center (SOCC),” the directive read.

As part of the state’s contingency measures, all district officers who serve as the chairman of the JPBD have been tasked to immediately hold meetings at the district level to ensure initial planning in the management of evacuation and rescue assets, management of evacuation centres, and adequate supply of raw materials in the event of such disasters.

Other measures to be taken effective today include:

  • JPS to inform JPBD and the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) of flood-risk areas and cooperate with the local authorities and the state’s Public Works Department (JKR) for maintenance works and distribute the plans of flood hotspots.
  • Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Civil Defense Force, and the 11th Brigade of the Malaysian Armed Forces at the state level are on alert.
  • The Selangor Social Welfare Department (JKM) and local authorities are prepared and ensure that the procedures for identifying and managing Covid-19 positive/negative cases at the temporary relief centres (PPS) are followed.
  • All assets for search and rescue (SAR) operations must be updated and placed in strategic locations.
    Disaster evacuation facilities in Selangor and supplies from JKM are adequate and to be in good condition.
  • JPS must ensure that all water or flood pumps are in good condition and ready. All telemetry stations, warning stations, discharge gauge stations, rainfall stations, water level stations and flood monitoring camera stations are inspected and in good working order.
  • Standing Regulations for Flood Disaster Response Operations are distributed to all state departments and agencies.

The north-east monsoon season usually brings heavy rain between November and March. In Selangor, wet weather is expected from evening until nighttime.

Selangor is expected to see an average rainfall between 210 mm and 370 mm in November and December.

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