Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The disaster operations control centres (PKOBs) at all levels will be activated ahead of schedule to ensure effective monitoring and coordination before the northeast monsoon (MTL) 2025/2026 begins in early November.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecasted that the upcoming monsoon season, which is expected to last until the end of March 2026, will be influenced by a weak La Niña phenomenon.
This condition could result in between five and seven episodes of continuous heavy rain, surpassing the usual average of five per season. The risk of major floods will increase if persistent rain coincides with high tide events. MetMalaysia will issue Continuous Rain Warnings (Alert, Severe, Danger) at least three days in advance to enable swift response measures.
As part of long-term preparedness strategies, Malaysia authorities approved the construction of a Permanent Disaster Relief Centre (PPBK) in Jerantut, Pahang, to strengthen community-level disaster resilience.
The project is expected to begin in 2026, in collaboration with the state government and relevant technical agencies.
In the Philippines, a moderately strong earthquake struck the central Philippine island of Cebu on October 13, injuring at least 14 people and damaging infrastructure already weakened by a deadly tremor two weeks earlier.
The magnitude 5.7 aftershock was recorded by the US Geological Survey just after 1:00 am local time./.
