LIMBANG: The public has been urged to remain vigilant and strengthen their preparedness as unpredictable weather conditions continue to bring sudden storms and heavy rain.
Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the erratic conditions called for greater caution and preparedness despite the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.
“Although we are experiencing the El Nino phenomenon, which is usually associated with hot and dry weather, what is happening now is the opposite, with storms and heavy rain occurring suddenly and unexpectedly,” he said when speaking at the cash assistance presentation ceremony for storm victims here recently.
Dr Abdul Rahman, who is also Bukit Kota assemblyman, said the storm on Aug 19 caused damage to several houses, including roofs being blown off, affecting the lives of the residents involved.
He said the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) had been instructed to immediately assess the damage in cooperation with relevant agencies, including the Public Works Department (PWD).
He added that a comprehensive report would be submitted to the State Government to enable further assistance to be channelled to the affected victims.
At the ceremony, each affected household received RM3,000 in cash assistance to help ease the burden caused by the damage.
The assistance is made possible through the cooperation of various parties, including JPBD Lawas, Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Islam Limbang (LAKIL), Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Melayu Bahagian Limbang and the local Community Service Centre.
