PETRA Enhances Readiness For Northeast Monsoon

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) is enhancing its preparedness for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon season, focusing on early planning, resource coordination and operational readiness.

In a statement today, PETRA said preparations for the Northeast Monsoon, which began on Oct 27 and is expected to last until March 2027, are being coordinated through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to ensure effective and comprehensive flood risk management.

The ministry said the DID National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) issued 103 bulletins, comprising 64 early flood forecast bulletins and 39 flood warning bulletins, during the 2025/2026 Northeast Monsoon season from Nov 13, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

“Some 14.8 million short message service (SMS) alerts were sent to residents in high-risk areas, according to records from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC),” the statement said.

“A total of 799 flood incidents were recorded nationwide, comprising 480 monsoon floods, 274 flash floods, 25 cases of stagnant flooding and 20 coastal floods,” it said.

PETRA said the flooding was attributed to several factors, including river overflows, internal drainage problems and high tides, as well as localised issues such as blocked drains, uncontrolled development, land clearing and improper waste disposal.

In preparation for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon, the DID was carrying out round-the-clock monitoring throughout the year using flood forecasting models covering 36 river basins, supported by 2,237 telemetry-based hydrological stations that record rainfall and river water levels, the ministry said.

The ministry said 614 flood warning sirens and 197 surveillance cameras were also in place at strategic locations nationwide to support flood monitoring and early warning efforts.

PETRA said 3,045 locations nationwide had been identified as flood hotspots, having experienced flooding at least three times in the past three years, with Kelantan recording the highest number at 609, followed by Pahang (572) and Terengganu (460).

In terms of operational readiness, the ministry said 1,079 water control gates and 285 pump houses nationwide are in good condition and ready to support flood control operations.

PETRA said 580 portable emergency pumps of various capacities were also ready for deployment to critical areas to mitigate flood risks.

Meanwhile, the ministry said 16 DID control dams and 781 flood retention ponds were being monitored, while maintenance work continued in high-risk river basins.

“Cooperation with MCMC and telecommunications companies is ongoing to facilitate the dissemination of flood warnings via SMS to residents in high-risk areas,” it said.

PETRA said it was also working with state authorities to establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for dam water releases to enhance floodwater retention capacity during the Northeast Monsoon season.

To mitigate flood risks, the ministry said 1,638 minor projects were implemented in 2026 at a cost of RM652 million, while 342 development projects under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan were approved for implementation this year, with an allocation of RM3.2 billion.

PETRA also advised the public to stay informed of official flood forecasts and warnings issued by the DID through the Public InfoBanjir website and MyPublicInfoBanjir mobile application, which is available for download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

--BERNAMA