Second phase of Prab to focus on Kedah, Penang and Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has identified Kedah, Penang and the Klang Valley for the second phase of the Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System (Prab), said its Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
However, he said that the total amount to be allocated for the second PRAB phase would only be announced in the 2018 budget tabling later this month "My ministry had asked for a total of RM560 million.
We have to wait and see how much will be approved and with the sum given, we will prioritise the flood prone areas that has been identified," he said.
He told reporters after launching the 50th National Geology Association anniversary celebration, here today.
Currently, he said the Prab system which is in place in three states, namely Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang, would be launched in January next year, as the east coast was often affected by flood every year.
"The Prab system will be able to predict flood at least two days before it occurs," he said.
Prab is a system designed to predict flood earlier in order to save lives and damages caused by flooding that occurs almost annually due to heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said that new data collected on weather pattern would help the ministry to come up with new plans especially on flood mitigation.
However, the new data would only be available in Nov as the country was expected to experience floods by then due to the monsoonal changes which will result in heavy rainfall, he added. — Bernama