RAUB: People living in low-lying areas along river banks must take precautionary measures against the monsoon as a forecast of prolonged rainy spell is expected after Dec 16.
The Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said government agencies should further improve their standard operating procedures (SOP) to face the floods so that all operations to assist the evacuees will be carried out smoothly.
"The Meteorological Department expects bad monsoon weather after Dec 16 and I hope there will not be any untoward incidents...everyone has to be on their toes and be ready for any eventuality.
"Perform the special prayers so that the flood situation will not worsen, and the state is spared from any minor or major disasters. Our priority is to ensure the people will continue to live comfortably," he told reporters after visiting flood victims at Kampung Pia multipurpose hall here today.
During his visit, Tengku Abdullah spoke to the victims who have been occupying the relief centre since Thursday after floods hit their village.
Tengku Abdullah said all flood victims should be given assistance by government agencies and ensure there was no overlapping of assistance so that everyone would receive aid and no one would be left out.
"I understand that there is an SOP in place to divide the zones for the police, army, firemen and Civil Defence Force (APM)....I hope they will work hard to ensure all the victims will equally receive the necessary assistance," he said, reminding the victims to keep the relief centres clean to ensure there was no disease outbreak.
Meanwhile, State APM director Zainal Yusoff said the flood situation in Raub was further improving with the number of evacuees reduced to 46 people at 4pm today, from 220 last night.
He said six temporary relief centres in Kuala Semantan mosque, Kampung Temau community hall, Ulu Sungai community hall, Sega Lama community hall, Ulu Renggol multipurpose hall and Kampung Pia were closed in stages since today morning.
Zainal said the only relief centre still operating was at SK Chenua and the victims were expected to return home on Sunday if the floods completely recede.