RM3.5m allocation, 451 centres, 162 forward bases: Kelantan braces for monsoon floods

The North-east Monsoon is a seasonal weather period when winds bring moist air and heavy rain to Malaysia’s east coast. Repeated or intense rain can saturate ground, raise river levels and flood low-lying communities. This explanation uses established weather knowledge; the article focuses on Kelantan’s preparations rather than explaining the monsoon itself.

Flooding can force residents from their homes and disrupt roads, making ordinary deliveries difficult. Kelantan JKM is therefore preparing supplies and evacuation facilities before conditions worsen. It has stocked 22 mini-depot containers and 162 forward bases, while essential items have been delivered to temporary relief centres.

The department has identified 451 premises as evacuation centres and has more than 400 personnel ready for deployment. Nine Psychological Support Team officers and 13 counsellors are also on standby. These measures aim to keep assistance available when several centres open at once and communities need food, shelter and registration support.

Kelantan’s flood-preparedness operation is large because it covers money, places, supplies and people at the same time. The department allocated about RM3.5 million for equipment and essential supplies. It also identified 451 premises for use as temporary evacuation centres across the state.

The supply network includes 162 forward bases and 22 mini-depot containers. More than 400 personnel can be sent to relief centres, while 127 active volunteers support disaster management. The department also appointed 127 contractors to provide relief items when needed. Together, these figures show how preparation is spread across storage, transport, staffing and procurement.

The operation is designed for a flood affecting several areas at once. Staff have trained and joined simulations, while supplies are already distributed to local facilities. Food distribution continues with state funding, and psychological support is available through nine officers and 13 counsellors on standby.

Temporary evacuation centres, or PPS, are premises prepared to receive people displaced by floods. They provide a controlled location where victims can register and receive clothing, basic necessities, food and other assistance. Their purpose is to keep people supported while flood conditions affect their homes or communities.

Kelantan JKM has identified 451 premises across the state. These include 337 schools under the Ministry of Education, community halls, village halls, mosques and surau. Essential items such as blankets, mats, towels and personal hygiene products have been delivered to all PPS, while food supplies continue to be distributed.

Schools used as SPM examination centres have also been identified. If they must operate as PPS, the number of evacuees there will be kept to a minimum so examinations can continue without disruption. More than 400 personnel can support centres if several open together.

Mini-depots and forward bases are local storage points for relief supplies and equipment. Pre-positioning items matters because floods can make travel slower or prevent agencies from reaching communities from a central warehouse. Supplies already nearby can support evacuation centres sooner.

Kelantan JKM has 22 containers serving as mini-depots and 162 forward bases. All are stocked with relief supplies and equipment. Essential items, including blankets, mats, towels and personal hygiene products, have also been delivered to all temporary relief centres. Food distribution continues with rice, sugar, biscuits and mineral water.

This arrangement gives responders several starting points during a widespread flood. The department has also appointed 127 contractors to supply relief items if demand rises. Because local stocks, contractors and trained personnel work together, centres can be supported even when multiple locations need help at the same time.

When flood victims arrive at a temporary relief centre, Kelantan JKM registers them and provides clothing, basic necessities and other assistance. The department also supports food distribution and can provide psychosocial care. Registration creates a record of household members and helps staff manage people arriving at the centre.

MyIBJKM allows household information to be entered before an emergency. The household head and other members are recorded in advance. Upon arrival at the PPS, a family that registered beforehand only needs to scan the provided QR code. This replaces a longer registration process during a stressful evacuation.

So far, 69,101 families have registered through the application. Kelantan JKM encourages people in flood-prone areas to register early. Wider advance registration should help staff process arrivals faster, especially when several centres open simultaneously and personnel must manage many evacuees.

Kelantan JKM coordinates several groups because a major flood can open many evacuation centres at once. Its responsibilities include supplying necessities, registering victims, supporting recovery and managing PPS operations. No single team handles all the staffing, supplies, facilities and welfare needs alone.

The department can deploy more than 400 personnel and has 127 active volunteers supporting disaster operations. It appointed 127 contractors to supply relief items when necessary. Schools, community halls, village halls, mosques and surau provide possible premises. Schools serving as SPM examination centres receive special attention, with evacuee numbers kept low if their use is unavoidable.

Personnel trained with relevant agencies through briefings, workshops and simulation exercises. Exercises ran from Jeli on September 24 to Tumpat on October 26. Nine Psychological Support Team officers and 13 counsellors are also on standby, adding psychosocial support to practical relief services.

Disaster preparedness means arranging supplies, staff, evacuation sites and communication systems before danger arrives. This matters because flooding can create urgent needs across many places at once. Waiting until the water rises could delay shelter, food, registration and emotional support for affected families.

Kelantan JKM has distributed relief supplies to district storage facilities, 22 mini-depots and 162 forward bases. It identified 451 possible PPS and has more than 400 personnel ready for deployment. Families can also register through MyIBJKM in advance, so they can scan a QR code on arrival instead of completing every detail then.

The department has trained staff, conducted exercises and placed volunteers, contractors, psychological support officers and counsellors on standby. These preparations create capacity for simultaneous evacuations. They also protect important activities, since evacuees at SPM examination centres will be kept to a minimum if those sites are needed.