Northeast Monsoon: 102,000 Personnel From Various Agencies, 40,000 Assets on Standby for Disasters – NADMA
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) is on high alert, with nearly 102,000 personnel from various departments and agencies and approximately 40,000 operational assets ready to be deployed to face the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon (MTL).
NADMA Deputy Chief of Operations Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar said preparations also include 8,321 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) nationwide, capable of accommodating up to 1.9 million flood victims.
“The assets prepared include 2,450 boats, while more than 3,000 comprise four-wheel-drive vehicles and lorries, in addition to various other support assets.
“We have also prepared 170,000 ready-to-eat meals as initial supplies for victims upon their arrival at evacuation centres, as well as 60,000 food kits containing essential items to be distributed to victims when they return to their respective homes,” he said.
He said this after appearing as a guest on Bernama Radio’s Fokus 30 programme, titled “Government Preparedness for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon”, here today.
Commenting on the coordination of field operations, Abdul Gapar said District Officers are responsible for taking initial action during floods, including activating District Disaster Operations Control Centres.
He said the Incident Control Centre would be headed by the District Police Chief as the Disaster Operations Commander, with the District Fire and Rescue Station Chief serving as deputy, while the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) would assist in coordinating rescue operations and the evacuation of victims.
“Apart from rescue agencies, NADMA also mobilises community leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local communities through the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRM) programme to assist in rescue operations and the management of evacuation centres,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Gapar encouraged the public to download the Malaysia Disaster Information Management System (MyDIMS) application, launched by NADMA on April 24, to obtain disaster-related information.
He said the application provides notifications when users are within a 10-kilometre radius of a disaster area, while also compiling weather information, disaster updates and the locations of temporary evacuation centres, including navigation guidance to these centres.
Abdul Gapar also reminded residents in high-risk areas to prepare emergency bags containing important documents such as MyKad and passports, basic medication, food and drinking water supplies, as well as suitable clothing in anticipation of possible flooding.
MEDIA SELANGOR