Training1

Warnings of flash floods

Ready for disaster: Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II staff members practising the setting up of barricades to
avoid major floods in Kota Baru, Kelantan. Under the 11th Malaysia Plan’s First Rolling Plan, the government
has approved a flood mitigation project for the hospital at a cost of RM8mil, with the aim of improving
disaster-relief infrastructure in the state. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The Meteorological Department MetMalaysia warned that the
monsoon is predicted to bring about continuous rain for four days, from Dec 17 to Dec
21, on the east coast states of the peninsula.
The wet weather is expected to last until early next year due to the northeast monsoon
and the La Nina cycle, said its director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah.
ALSO READ: No bias when it comes to floods, says Zahid
MetMalaysia has also issued a Category 1 warning – strong winds and rough seas – for
Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, which is expected to last until tomorrow.

“A rise in the sea level is expected in waters in these states, and there is a risk of
seawater flooding on the coast.
“MetMalaysia is monitoring this situation and will issue a ‘Continuous Heavy Rain
Warning’ If needed,” said Muhammad Helmi.
He added that prolonged rain could cause the temperature to drop to 22°C on the East
Coast.

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Thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds are also expected within the
peninsula’s west coast, west Sabah and north Sarawak in the afternoon to early parts of
the night within the next few days.
ALSO READ: Nearly 3,000 displaced by floods, says minister
Yesterday, National Antarctica Research Centre meteorological expert Prof Datuk Dr
Azizan Abu Samah told Sinar Harian that the nation would experience significant
flooding within the next three days due to heavy monsoon rain triggered by the active La
Nina and negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phenomena.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) has issued a 24-hour flash
flood warning in six states.
The affected states are Johor (Batu Pahat, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Muar, Pontian
and Tangkak), Pahang (Kuantan and Rompin), Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu and
Marang), Penang (Seberang Perai Selatan), Perak (Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak, Kerian, Larut,
Matang, Selama, Muallim and Perak Tengah), and Negri Sembilan (Port Dickson).
ALSO READ: ‘Pre-flood volunteers’ would be helpful, plead villagers

The warning was based on forecasts by MetMalaysia, the South-East Asia-Oceania Flash
Flood Guidance System and the DID flood forecast model.

Checks on the MyPublic Infobanjir application showed that one river – Sungai Golok – in
Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, Kelantan is in the “danger zone”.

As of yesterday at 4.30pm, the river, which reached 9.36m, or 4.36m higher than its
normal level of 5m with just light rainfall (1mm), has started to recede.

The rivers in four states have also reached “warning levels”.

The eight rivers are Sungai Jempol, Sungai Keratong and Sungai Pahang in Pahang;
Sungai Benawa, Sungai Long Teru and Sungai Marudi in Sarawak; Sungai Muar in Johor;
and Sungai Tumpat in Terengganu.

Meanwhile, National Water Services Commission (SPAN) corporate communications and
consumer affairs director Mohd Fazil Ismail said most dams in Peninsular Malaysia have
reached their maximum level.

However, he said the situation is under control, adding that there were no closures of
water treatment plants recorded in flooded areas as at 1pm yesterday.

“In total, there are 57 dams and of these, 47 are major dams (relating to raw water
sources) in Peninsular Malaysia.

“The majority of dams have reached their maximum storage level.

“The other 10 are multi-functional dams such as for flood mitigation for dams regulated
by the DID,” he said.

Man says he won’t forgive lorry
company after unborn child dies in
crash

Horror on the road: The lorry’s load spilling onto an oncoming car before it overturned into a ditch in Gerik. —
Pix taken from Facebook

PETALING JAYA: His wife was horrifically injured and his unborn child tragically killed in
an accident with a lorry, leading a man to pen an unsurprisingly harsh but heart- breaking
letter on Facebook to the trucking company.
He said he would never forgive the lorry driver who caused the crash and the transport
company for taking their baby away, reported mStar.
“My wife and I were about to welcome our baby into the world and you took our baby
away in this accident.

“I won’t forgive you. No representative from your company contacted us to apologise or
express condolences. You destroyed our family with this accident,” Ding Sheng Koh
posted on Facebook on Sunday.A video clip of the accident shows a lorry apparently
speeding while approaching a bend in the road, causing its load to spill onto an oncoming
car.
In the blink of an eye, the car overturned into a ditch before another car behind it also
crashed.
Ding said he was sad to see his wife’s injuries and her grief over their child’s death.
“I see my wife crying every day looking at the (ultrasound) picture of our baby.

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“Because of this accident, my wife’s uterus was ruptured, her spine fractured and three
ribs broken. She also sustained injuries to her brain and heart.
“This is our first child. Why were you so cruel to take him away from us?” Ding added.
The lorry driver allegedly fled the scene before he was finally arrested in Jeli, Kelantan.
The accident happened in Gerik, Perak.
Ding also questioned why the driver had driven so dangerously.
“I hope the cargo and delivery company can explain why they used this kind of truck to
deliver goods. It looked like it had exceeded the height limit.
“Why was its cargo stacked so high? I hope your company can give an appropriate
explanation,” he added.

Ding said he saw the lorry coming at such a speed that the entire body of the vehicle
was tilted.

“Fortunately, I had already reduced my car’s speed, otherwise I might have died too.

“From my estimate, the speed of the lorry exceeded 90 kph. When I saw it coming from
the other side, I reduced my speed from 80 kph to 60 kph,” he added.

Ding said he felt guilty that he could not protect his unborn child.

“I hope the truck driver will get the appropriate punishment. I hope after this incident,
your company will use the right trucks to deliver goods.

“As for the delivery company management, I hope you hire responsible drivers. Trucks
are a tool for all of you to earn a living, but you cannot be neglecting the safety of other
road users,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Road Transport Department and Land Public Transport Agency have
been told to take action against the transport company and its lorry driver.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the company’s operating permit would be
suspended until an audit on all its lorries had been carried out.

“I will not compromise with the driver and the company ... (which have) endangered the
public on the road,” he said in a Facebook post.