Flood remains in the forecast this year - Met Dept

Come year-end, flood remains in the forecast for several states, including those in the east coast.

However, it would not be as bad as that which occurred the previous year, said Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail.

She said the department would continue to monitor and provide the latest weather forecast data to enable the public, especially those living in coastal areas to be prepared.

Beginning October, the department would hold a briefing with state authorities on the current weather condition, she told reporters at the Besut community level disaster management programme at the SMK Kuala Besut here today.

In another development, Che Gayah said the El Nino phenomenon which was detected in the Northeast Pacific was at the moment, weak and would not let the north-east moonson's extreme weather to occur in the country.

She said last year, although a strong El Nino phenomenon was forecast to hit the country, it did not happen.

"Therefore, an extreme flood condition like what happened last year will likely not occur," she noted.