Zahid: Govt on alert, ramps up readiness as El Nino raises monsoon flood risks

The government and relevant agencies have fully prepared for the impending North-east Monsoon, which is anticipated to be more severe due to an El Nino episode that has impacted numerous countries in the region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the importance of comprehensive coordination between the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and disaster management committees at both state and district levels. The 2026 Deepavali Santunan Kasih event served as the launchpad for National Preparedness Month.

Hazards hotspot identification has been carried out by Nadma, working in tandem with all enforcement agencies. Ahmad Zahid highlighted that certain states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and southern states including Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan are frequently affected by the North-east Monsoon. As the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, Zahid outlined the responsibilities assigned to rescue agencies, while the Social Welfare Department (JKM) is fully stocked with food aid and fully-equipped evacuation tents.

Concerns arose regarding SPM candidates taking their examinations during the monsoon season. Responding to this, Zahid informed that the government's priority remains the welfare of these students and ensuring the smooth conduct of their exams. He reported that contingency plans were already in place to relocate affected students to school hostels, with the Education Minister, Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, confirming the implementation of this plan.

Amidst these preparations, improvements to the Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) compassionate aid scheme were also discussed. The scheme, introduced last year, has been enhanced by directly providing RM1,000 to each affected family at temporary relief centres. This measure allows victims to use the assistance promptly to clean and repair their homes, circumventing the previous two-week wait and bank visits. However, those who do not relocate, even if their names are on the list, will not be eligible for the aid.

During the event, Ahmad Zahid also distributed Deepavali essential supplies to 2,000 B40 households in Bagan Datuk, RM100 in year-end educational assistance to 700 students from Tamil National-type Schools, and Smartboard TVs to all 16 such schools within the constituency. Furthermore, he presented RM3,000 in educational assistance to each of the 12 kindergartens serving the Indian community in Bagan Datuk, totaling RM36,000.