SHOULD Malaysians, especially those living in the east coast, undergo an emergency drill in case a tropical cyclone hits the country? Should the National Security Council at least inform the public of the steps to take in case a cyclone heads our way?
In the past two decades, at least three cyclones have threatened our country, with two of them making landfall, which resulted in several deaths in the highlands. In December 1996, Tropical Storm Greg made landfall in Sabah and killed more than 100 people through flooding and landslides.
In December 2001, Typhoon Vamei made landfall in Johor and killed four people when it caused landslides in Gunung Pulai.
In January last year, Tropical Storm Sonamu entered the South China Sea after passing through Mindanao.
Unlike most cyclones that trekked westwards and made landfall in Indochina, Sonamu made a rare left turn and headed for Sarawak. Fortunately, it dissipated 100km off Bintulu.
These three cyclones, which occurred within 10 days of the new year, suggest that the threat of a cyclone making a landfall in this country is real. It is not a question of if but when. The public needs to be well-informed about the dangers of cyclones and the standard operating procedures to be taken if one is imminent.
Since these cyclones can pass through from coast to coast, as Greg and Vamei have demonstrated, severe landslides can cause many casualties among those who live in the highlands and hill slopes, and not only on the coasts.
Let’s hope that the NSC and the authorities are better prepared in case another rogue tropical cyclone decides to make a landfall in Malaysia.
H. Zahar, Kuala Lumpur
