Flood contingency mechanism in place: DPM

PUTRAJAYA -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a flood contingency mechanism is already in place to handle the onslaught of floods in certain states.

"We expect the floods to be worse than previously, so the preparations are beyond the usual," he said at a special media conference in conjunction with the Umno General Assembly 2011, at the Education Ministry here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister and national disaster management chairman, said the Information, Communications and Culture ministry had been directed to provide updates on the situation besides launching a flood portal for reference.

Commenting on the flood situation which has reportedly claimed three lives, two siblings aged 14 and 16 in Bachok and a two-year-old boy in Pasir Mas, he said it could have been due to the strong water currents.

"Generally we have prepared for the floods and everyone knows what needs to be done. It is only a matter of how soon are the victims ready to move and how quickly to act and evacuate them when an area is flooded," he said.

More than 2,000 flood victims are currently staying at relief centres in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. --Bernama