SHAH ALAM, Nov 27 — The state government has activated all machinery at the state, district and local authority levels to counter the effects of the ongoing tropical storm Senyar, currently in Sumatra, Indonesia and expected to head to Malaysia soon.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said they include 45 warning siren stations across Selangor, which will be activated if water levels are predicted to reach dangerous levels.
"I urge all Selangor residents to remain alert for any warnings and evacuation orders issued by the officers in charge or their respective community leaders.
"If the siren in your residential area sounds and an evacuation order is given, please comply with the order and register yourself and your family at the nearest temporary relief centre (PPS)," he said in a statement tonight.
Amirudin added that the priority is to ensure every resident remains safe as the state prepares to face Senyar.
If continuous rainfall causes water levels to rise rapidly, he said that 1,173 PPS across Selangor, which can provide shelter for up to 244,000 people, are on standby for activation.
"These include schools, mosques, halls, and community centres, all equipped with the necessary basic amenities," Amirudin said.
Noting that the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has projected that the state's first-ever tropical storm will head towards the Peninsular's west coast between the Selangor-Perak border, he said up to 344 state government assets have been marshalled in preparation.
"They include four-wheel-drive vehicles and heavy-duty lorries, as well as 227 boats, which have been deployed to strategic locations throughout the state for emergency delivery of essential goods and for any search-and-rescue operations.
"I have instructed the responsible agencies to conduct safety inspections on every unit of these vehicles to ensure they can be deployed immediately should an emergency arise," Amirudin said.
With Senyar expected to reach speeds of up to 50 km/h and bring continuous heavy rainfall until Saturday (November 29), the state government will continue to maintain close communication with MetMalaysia via its Disaster Management Unit, as well as the National Disaster Management Agency.
"Any official weather updates will be issued based on developments through MetMalaysia’s main social media platforms and at www.met.gov.my," he said.
Earlier today, MetMalaysia director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said that Selangor, Perak, and parts of Pahang may face the storm's effects as early as tonight, which will last until Sunday (November 30).
He said that based on the heavy rain in the state two days ago, between 120mm and 150mm of rainfall was recorded, with the potential for worse floods in the Klang Valley this time.
