The Kedah Federal Action Council will hold a meeting with all state federal agencies next week to gear up for floods expected in mid-November.

Its chairperson, Mohd Johari Baharom, said the meeting would map out evacuation and aid distribution strategies.

“We want the National Security Council to overcome the problem of aid being slow in reaching some flood victims as reported during the big floods last year,” he said at a ceremony to welcome a convoy at Kampung Palas, Tobiar near Pendang today.

He said although the state government was making preparations for the floods, federal agencies were doing their parts, including identifying evacuation centres.

Mohd Johari, who is also Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister, said the Muda Agricultural Development Authority would regulate water drainage in rivers and canals.

“Before the rainy season, water from canals will be released to prevent it from bursting their banks and inundate low-lying areas,” he said, adding river embankments, which were damaged during floods last year, were being repaired.

- Bernama