‘More than 10,000 temporary relief centres to be gazetted nationwide as flood prep’

SHAH ALAM – More than 10,000 temporary flood relief centres will be gazetted if boarding schools and hostels are also designated as such to prepare for disasters like floods during the year-end monsoon season.

Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said the ministry had so far identified 6,010 temporary centres throughout the country that can be used to house flood victims.

She said these temporary centres, which comprise schools, community centres, and community halls, can also double up as voting centres or polling stations.

“This is to be rational during the current situation, especially if the election is held soon and at a time when floods are forecast due to the monsoon season. They can be temporary flood relief centres or voting centres. At a time when we are eager to face the election, we are also concerned with the problems faced by the people,” she told reporters at the launch of Selangor Bersatu’s election machinery, here today.

The country will be facing a monsoon season transition phase starting from tomorrow till November.

The change is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding that can cause damage to infrastructure that lacks strong foundations. – Bernama, October 2, 2022