KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — Residents in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia have been told to remain vigilant in facing the possibility of a second wave of floods following the current monsoon transition period. 

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the transition period was expected to end late this month.

"The Meteorological Department has forecasted that the second wave will occur until the end of the monsoon transition period, namely the first week of November.

"However, judging from the situation, I predict that it (transition period) will drag until the end of this month as the current weather conditions are very much unpredictable,” he told reporters here today.

Penang was practically paralysed after flash floods hit the state last Saturday, which also claimed seven lives. 

On the fund for flood mitigation projects in Penang as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Wan Junaidi said the ministry, via its Drainage and Irrigation Department, was now ready to carry out technical reviews on the existing water drainage and irrigation system in the state.

The minister also said among other aspects that would be focused on were water reservoirs and coastal reclamation works.

"The unusual floods last Saturday showed that the current flood mitigation measures are not enough,” he said.

Yesterday, Najib announced the RM1 billion worth of assistance for 13 flood mitigation projects in Penang during his visit to the state.

Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said a colloquium on flood mitigation strategies would be organised in January to search for the best and effective model to overcome floods in the country. — Bernama