LETTER | Referring to a letter in Malaysiakini by Pola Singh, dated Oct 17, 2024, at 10.39am, titled “LETTER | KL floods a wake-up call for better preparedness”.

Part of the letter as follows:

“On Tuesday, Oct 15, Kuala Lumpur was hit by severe floods after intense rainfall began around 8.30am, with over 60mm per hour drenching the city.

This heavy and prolonged downpour quickly overwhelmed our inadequate drainage systems, causing flash floods and leaving motorists stranded on 11 major roads.

The question on many people’s minds is: where was the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) during this?

There were no early warnings, no alerts. Many of us would expect MetMalaysia to issue timely weather forecasts, helping residents brace for such extreme conditions.”

MetMalaysia’s response:

The occurrence of thunderstorms and heavy rain in the morning of Oct 15, 2024, over the Klang Valley caused major flash floods around Kuala Lumpur.

With regard to this event, MetMalaysia has issued multiple thunderstorm and heavy rain warnings for the Klang Valley area starting as early as 6.30am until 1.00pm.

The full report of this event can be obtained through our official website at www.met.gov.my.

Weather information and alerts issued by MetMalaysia are constantly updated and disseminated through various communication mediums.

We make sure that all our weather forecasts and warnings are prepared and issued in a timely, accurate, and reliable manner to alert the public of any incoming weather-related hazards.

The public may obtain weather information from MetMalaysia through the Department’s official website, myCuaca mobile application, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and Youtube, and via the hotline number 1-800-22-1638.

MOHD HISHAM MOHD ANIP is the deputy director-general of operations for the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.