KUALA LUMPUR: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is gearing up for natural disaster preparations, with a focus on the east coast monsoon.

Nadma director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said in his visit to Media Prima today that an early preparation meeting will be held on Oct 3 to discuss strategies for addressing the east coast monsoon, which usually starts in November each year.

He said they will review agency preparations, including assets, resources, and affected areas, to address the east coast monsoon.

Nadma will consult with the government on preparations and needs to manage the natural disaster, which often causes flooding in certain regions.

"Based on past experience, we have identified hotspots prone to significant flooding, and preparations will be made to these areas.

"We will identify the hotspots and also rely on predictions from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and with current technology, we will focus our efforts for the next three months," he said.

Additionally, Khairul Shahril said national disaster management policy, which will be the basis for new disaster-related legislation, will be launched as it will be a foundation of developing disaster risk management legislation.

"Nadma has been instructed by the cabinet to draft a disaster management act, following the example of many other countries.

"This is part of the government's commitment to ensure that disaster management in the country can be more effective," he said.

He said there are several phases that need to be completed before the agreement can be implemented.

"The first phase involves securing approval from the Cabinet, which has been obtained and the second phase includes engaging with relevant agencies, stakeholders, including Non-governmental organisations (NGOs),and state governments to develop this base," he said.

"This base will be used to reduce disasters," he added.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1103500/nadma-braces-nov-east-coast-monsoon