SUBANG JAYA: Three-day weather forecasts will serve as a crucial trigger for early evacuation ahead of potential floods, with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) urging residents not to wait until floodwaters rise before moving to safety.
Its director-general, Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim, said the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued weather outlooks covering one month, one week and three days, with the three-day forecast providing a more accurate indication of impending weather conditions.
“Authorities would use the three-day forecasts to assess the need for early evacuation, particularly in areas at risk of heavy rainfall and high tides,” he said at a press conference during the Media Engagement Session on Government Preparedness for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon (MTL) here today.
The 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon is expected to begin on Oct 27, 2026, and continue until March 2027, bringing the risk of prolonged heavy rainfall, floods, landslides and disruptions to public safety and daily life.
Meor stressed that residents should evacuate before flooding occurs, particularly households with vulnerable family members, including persons with disabilities, young children, pregnant women and the elderly.
“If possible, we want people to evacuate before the floods happen, as it is easier for them to move on their own before conditions worsen,” he said.
He said early evacuation would also ease pressure on rescue teams, particularly when large residential areas were affected.
Meor added that a typical Fire and Rescue Department rescue boat could accommodate about 10 people, making it difficult to evacuate large numbers of residents once floodwaters had risen.
He urged families to make evacuation arrangements early rather than relying entirely on rescue operations during emergencies.
