PUTRAJAYA, Nov 28 — The government has fully activated the State Operations Control Centres in 14 states and 198 District Operations Control Centres following the development of tropical storm Senyar, which made landfall on the coast between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan at 12.30am last night.
Deputy Prime Minister cum Central Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that although the storm had been downgraded to a low-pressure system, the convergence of winds still had the potential to bring continuous rain in many areas in Peninsular Malaysia in the next 24 hours.
He had received a comprehensive briefing from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) on the impact of the weather on the people and critical infrastructure.
The Disaster Operations Control Centres at the state and district levels were also opened to ensure that operational coordination, the evacuation of victims, and the dissemination of information could be carried out without delay.
"This measure allows every development and need on the ground to be addressed in real time by the disaster management agency," Zahid said in a statement today.
APM has mobilised more than 2,000 personnel to patrol and monitor high-risk areas affected by floods, storms, and strong coastal waves.
Important assets, including rescue boats, ambulances, 4x4 vehicles, generators, mobile water pumps, and monitoring drones, have also been deployed to ensure rescue, evacuation, and emergency aid operations can be carried out immediately.
The government also emphasised the welfare of victims and disaster workers by providing 30,300 retort food packs, 88,701 C-Tent units and 31,480 victim food kits as initial emergency stocks at identified locations.
He reminded residents in affected and at-risk areas to always follow official warnings from MetMalaysia, Nadma, APM, and other authorities, and to comply with evacuation orders if instructed.
"The public is advised to avoid sea and coastal activities due to strong winds and high waves, while ensuring that emergency bags are always available and important documents are kept in a safe place.
"I also stress that the public should not spread unverified information that could cause confusion or panic," Zahid said.
The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure that all agencies are on full alert.
"I myself will follow the developments directly and ensure that all assistance and necessary actions can be implemented quickly for the safety and well-being of the people," he said.
