ALOR STAR: Ninety flood-prone areas have been identified in Kedah, particularly in the Sungai Kedah and Sungai Muda basins, ahead of the northeast monsoon.
Kedah Civil Defence Force director Mohd Bukhori Mat Sidik said high-risk areas in the Sungai Kedah basin include Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pendang and Pokok Sena.
In the Sungai Muda basin, the high-risk districts were Kuala Muda, Baling, Sik and Kulim.
Bukhori said agencies under the Kedah State Disaster Management Committee were on full alert, with a combined strength of 4,585 personnel.
The force has 927 personnel and 556 logistical assets, including 14 four-wheel-drive vehicles, 37 lorries, a van, 22 ambulances, 85 boats and 413 life jackets.
"State response agencies have 3,658 personnel and 6,041 assets, including 112 four-wheel-drive vehicles, 62 lorries, eight ambulances, 32 vans, 3,271 tents, 161 aluminium boats and 2,395 life jackets," he said.
The northeast monsoon began yesterday and is expected to continue until March.
"During the initial phase of the monsoon, three to five episodes of prolonged heavy rain are expected, potentially causing floods near rivers and in low-lying areas.
"Based on the seven-day weather forecast up to Nov 1, the country is expected to be influenced by easterly winds throughout the period," Bukhori said.
In Yan, three temporary flood relief centres have been opened, housing 202 people from 69 families.
SK Teroi is sheltering 101 people from 29 families, SJK(C) Pei Eng is housing 43 people from 22 families and Dewan Lestari Guar Chempedak has 58 people from 18 families.
People have been advised to heed warnings from the authorities, including the Malaysian Meteorological Department, and stay updated on flood information.
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