Asian Games contingent ready with Plan B as Nagoya battles floods

Malaysia's team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has prepared backup plans to ensure their operations are not disrupted by the worsening flooding and severe weather in Japan. Deputy chef de mission Azlan Iskandar revealed that the secretariat has considered multiple scenarios and has already formulated a Plan B. This alternate arrangement would be implemented if necessary, ensuring the team's activities remain unaffected, even in the worst-case scenario.

Azlan emphasized that securing adequate accommodation for the contingent, should their current locations become unavailable, is a significant aspect of the contingency planning. Should there be a shortage of accommodation, a backup plan is already in place to address the issue. The secretariat has taken various measures into account, demonstrating their thorough preparation.

Meanwhile, fellow deputy chef de mission Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi mentioned that the secretariat is closely monitoring the situation in Japan. They stated that the flooding conditions in Nagoya are under control and gradually improving. The team's presence in Japan began yesterday, with an assessment team monitoring the latest developments.

While the exact situation in Japan is not disclosed, the secretariat is committed to ensuring that the preparations and movement of the national contingent are not impacted by the ongoing circumstances. Japanese authorities had issued a Level 5 emergency warning, the highest alert, two days prior to the issuance of this report. This warning followed heavy rain and severe flooding in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, where rising water levels in the Shonai River prompted authorities to urge residents to evacuate to higher ground.