Latest news with #Nadma
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Unpredictable winds rule out cloud seeding for Bukit Merah lake, other fixes sought to address low water levels
IPOH, July 21 — Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said it is not the right time to carry out cloud seeding despite the rapidly falling water level at Bukit Merah Dam, which now threatens nearby padi fields due to the prolonged dry weather. Saarani said that the current wind conditions are too unpredictable, which could result in rainfall missing the targeted area. 'I've been informed that the Meteorological Department has advised against conducting cloud seeding at this time because the wind direction is uncertain. 'They cannot confirm whether the rain will fall into Bukit Merah Lake. If it doesn't, the effort would be in vain,' he said at a press conference after attending the Meet the Customers' Day programme at Stadium Indera Mulia here. Saarani added that the state government is cautious not to repeat the mistake made in 2022, when cloud seeding resulted in rainfall over residential areas instead of the Bukit Merah reservoir, leading to public dissatisfaction. 'For that reason, we can't simply proceed with cloud seeding without expert advice from technical departments and relevant ministries, including the Meteorological Department. 'I was also informed that the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has taken the initiative to assess whether cloud seeding is currently feasible,' he said. Saarani said the state government is now focusing on alternative measures, such as channeling water from nearby rivers that have not yet dried up. He also expressed hope that the Federal Government would expedite the project to divert water directly from the Perak River to Bukit Merah Lake. 'This is a very technical issue, and the problem of drying dams and rivers occurs almost every year. We sincerely hope the Federal Government can accelerate the project. 'Initially, the request was solely to resolve irrigation issues in northern Perak. But after Penang submitted a similar request, the entire initiative was bundled together. 'So now, it's not just about diverting water from the Perak River to Bukit Merah, but also about establishing a Water Treatment Plant to provide clean water to residents in northern Perak, with the surplus to be sold as treated water to Penang,' he said. It was reported that persistent heat and lack of consistent rainfall over the past few months has caused the areas surrounding the dam to become dry and barren. The situation has also affected padi fields, which have dried up due to the drought, while local inland fishermen have been forced to halt operations as their boats are now stranded and unable to reach open water.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Haze: Unhealthy air quality detected in five areas nationwide
PETALING JAYA: Five areas nationwide have recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings, says the Environment Department. As of 3pm on Sunday (July 20), it said Putrajaya recorded an API of 139; Banting and Johan Setia in Selangor (154 each); Nilai in Negri Sembilan (162); and Alor Gajah in Melaka (110). Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the worsening air quality is influenced by trans-boundary haze affecting the country in the past 24 hours. He said the National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan had been activated to coordinate agencies' response towards tackling open burning and haze matters. Under the National Haze Action Plan, he said relevant agencies have various responsibilities to oversee. This includes the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) activating its disaster management committees at district, state and federal levels should API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours. "All outdoor classroom activities will also be halted once the API exceeds 100. ALSO READ: Haze: Two areas each in Selangor, Negri record unhealthy API "All schools, kindergarten and day care centres will be closed once the API reading exceeds 200. "Respective administrators should monitor the API and make necessary preparations if required to close," he said in a statement on Sunday. He said cloud seeding would be carried out at areas with API readings exceeding 150 for more than 24 hours. "This is subject to the presence of clouds and suitable weather conditions," he said. He also advised landowners to closely monitor areas that can easily catch fire and take measures to ensure no open burning occurs. Under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, Wan Abdul Latiff said those convicted of open burning can be fined up to RM1mil or jailed up to five years, or both. A compound not exceeding 50% of the maximum penalty can also be imposed for each subsequent offence.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
On the path to boosting disaster cooperation
WELLINGTON: Malaysia is seeking to expand cooperation with New Zealand in disaster management, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said this comes as the national disaster management agencies of both countries are in talks to ink an agreement to strengthen collaboration in several areas. 'Malaysia and New Zealand have long established cooperation in various fields but disaster management still has ample room to be strengthened bilaterally,' he told reporters here yesterday. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee (Nadma), said talks with New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) are at its final stage for the drafting of a memorandum of understanding (MOU). He noted that there is vast potential for both nations to strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster management in a more holistic manner. 'I am confident this effort will become a milestone in fostering more organised, structured and effective cooperation between our two countries. 'Such efforts are crucial to ensure better safety of our people while developing stronger regional preparedness.' Ahmad Zahid added that the proposed collaboration will see strategic cooperation involving information sharing, disaster safety education and training. This includes rescue simulations and logistics management of disaster victims. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid visited the 'Beehive Bunker' located within New Zealand's Parliament building. The bunker serves as New Zealand's National Crisis Management Centre, which is designed to be self-sufficient in the event of a disaster. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid met up with the Malaysian community at a dinner gathering attended by some 250 Malaysians. He also announced a special allocation of RM250,000 to the Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand. He said the allocation would enable Malaysians in New Zealand to celebrate National Day on Aug 31 in a grander and lively manner this year. The Deputy Prime Minister said he noticed that Malaysians living abroad displayed a strong sense of unity and love for the country whenever he went abroad. He said events held at Rumah Malaysia in Wellington are usually sponsored by Malaysian companies in New Zealand. Ahmad Zahid will conclude his five-day working visit to New Zealand today.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Zahid hopes for closer Malaysia-NZ cooperation in disaster management
WELLINGTON: Malaysia and New Zealand have the potential to strengthen cooperation in disaster management following Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's (pic) visit to the National Crisis Management Centre here on Thursday (July 17). The visit to the centre, also known as the Beehive Bunker, is seen as opening a new chapter in emergency and disaster management collaboration between the two countries. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the visit aimed to expand strategic cooperation through information sharing, education and disaster safety training, including rescue simulations and disaster victim logistics management. "Malaysia and New Zealand have long enjoyed cooperation in various fields, but disaster management remains an area with great potential to be enhanced bilaterally,' he told reporters here. He also welcomed the progress in ongoing negotiations between the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency, which are working towards finalising a memorandum of understanding in the near future. "I am confident this effort will serve as a landmark for more coordinated, structured and effective cooperation between the two countries, for the safety of the people and stronger regional preparedness,' he said. Ahmad Zahid's visit to the Beehive Bunker, located within the New Zealand Parliament building, was joined by an official delegation and senior Malaysian government officials. The Deputy Prime Minister will conclude his five-day working visit to New Zealand and depart for Kuala Lumpur on Friday (July 18). – Bernama
Daily Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah launches Disaster Command Centre
Published on: Thursday, July 03, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 03, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji doing the launching gimmick. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Wednesday launched the State Disaster Command Centre (SDCC), the first such centre in Malaysia funded by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma). 'Developed jointly by the State Disaster Management Community and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the SDCC would ensure swifter and more coordinated actions in the event of a disaster,' said Hajiji at the opening ceremony of the SDCC at Menara Kinabalu. Located on the 4th Floor, Block A Menara Kinabalu, the SDCC will serve as an integrated platform to coordinate the actions of security and rescue agencies, NGOs and research bodies during disasters. The SDCC is equipped with the latest information and communication technology, including a video conferencing system and a comprehensive database for gathering and analysing disaster information. The RM750,000 centre took eight months to be completed. Present were State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Ariffin Arif, Nadma Deputy Director General Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk Jauteh Dikun, State Internal Affairs and Research Secretary Datuk Ag Shahminan Ag Sahari as the State Disaster Management Committee secretariat and Malaysia Civil Defence Sabah Director Mohd Yusoff Samad. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
