He said since the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (Met Dept) forecast was unreliable and late, a special study would be conducted on how the region’s forecast data could be compiled and used for alerts.
“I am so frustrated, and I am still upset over the last-minute ‘red alert’ of heavy rain issued by the Met Dept recently.
“So, I am going to ask our Penang Green Council to study how to harness the data from foreign meteorological departments and use it to our advantage,” Lim told the state assembly during his winding-up address today.
Lim had repeatedly said that the Met Dept had issued the “red alert” only at 9.30pm on Nov 4, just an hour before heavy rain lashed the state and caused massive flooding.
A “red alert” notice by the Met Dept is an advisory of heavy rainfall in an area which may exceed 240mm for 24 hours. The advisory is amended to “amber” and “yellow” as the rainfall reduces or when the weather improves.
The flash floods in Penang displaced more than 6,000 people and claimed seven lives.
However, the Met Dept denied allegations that it was late in issuing a warning on the bad weather.
Met Department director-general Alui Bahari said a warning was issued “as early as Nov 1” and was forwarded to the relevant state authorities.
He said a “yellow alert”, which is the first level of warning, was issued on Nov 1.
The Penang Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) also called for earlier weather alerts, since many high value manufacturing plants are based in Penang and need time to make the necessary preparations.