RM3.5m allocation, 451 centres, 162 forward bases: Kelantan braces for monsoon floods

GUA MUSANG, Oct 30 — The Kelantan Social Welfare Department (JKM) has allocated about RM3.5 million for the procurement of equipment and essential supplies in preparation for the North-east Monsoon (MTL).

Its director Che Samsuzuki Che Noh said relief supplies had been distributed to district storage facilities, 22 mini-depot containers and 162 forward bases to ensure timely assistance for flood victims.

He said essential items, including blankets, mats, towels and personal hygiene products, had been delivered to all temporary relief centres (PPS), while the distribution of food supplies funded by the state government was ongoing.

“The distribution of food supplies, including rice, sugar, biscuits and mineral water, continues with funding from the state government.

“We have 22 containers serving as mini-depots and 162 forward bases, all stocked with relief supplies and equipment. We have also appointed 127 contractors to supply relief items should the need arise,” he told Bernama recently.

Che Samsuzuki said Kelantan JKM had identified 451 premises across the state for use as temporary evacuation centres (PPS), including 337 schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE), community halls, village halls, mosques and surau.

He said schools designated as Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination centres had also been identified to ensure examinations proceeded without disruption, with the number of evacuees accommodated at these schools to be kept to a minimum if their use as PPS was unavoidable.

Meanwhile, he said the department had more than 400 personnel available for deployment to PPS should several centres need to be opened simultaneously, along with 127 active volunteers supporting disaster management operations.

“All personnel are on standby and have undergone training, attended briefings and participated in workshops with relevant agencies, as well as simulation exercises on managing PPS, which began in Jeli on Sept 24 and ended in Tumpat on October 26,” he said.

He said Kelantan JKM had also placed nine officers from its Psychological Support Team (PST) and 13 counsellors on standby to provide psychosocial support to flood victims.

Che Samsuzuki said the department’s responsibilities also included distributing clothing and basic necessities, registering flood victims through the MyIBJKM system and providing post-disaster recovery assistance.

He encouraged residents in flood-prone areas to register early through the MyIBJKM application to expedite registration upon arrival at PPS.

“Pre-disaster registration allows the details of household heads and other household members to be recorded beforehand, making the process easier when flood victims arrive at PPS. So far, 69,101 families have registered through the application,” he said.

He added that families who had registered in advance would only need to scan the provided QR code upon arrival at PPS. — Bernama