Kota bharu: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) will set up 20 additional temporary relief centres in preparation for the flood season in Kelantan this year. Kelantan JKM deputy director Md Yani Mat Zin said the move brings the total number of relief centres in the state to 459, as part of preparations to handle unexpected floods similar to those experienced last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Md Yani emphasized the importance of having sufficient facilities to address potential flood situations. He spoke after officiating the 'Memacu Kehidupan Deepavali 2025' programme at the Eastern Region Kesedar office hall. He highlighted the possibility of flooding in areas previously unaffected, based on current weather patterns.

Md Yani identified typical flood-prone areas such as Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, and Kota Bharu, and stressed the need to focus on other districts with flood potential. The addition of relief centres is an early measure to ensure flood victims can be relocated to safer places immediately. Over 400 JKM personnel are ready to assist flood victims throughout Kelantan, with each relief centre housing nine staff members, excluding volunteers and appointed cooks. Special committees have been established at the district level, chaired by the respective district heads.

The relief centres have the capacity to accommodate up to 172,400 flood victims. Meanwhile, Petronas East Coast Region general manager Ahmad Shazly Ramli announced that Petronas, through the Petronas Foundation, contributed RM340,000 to 1,700 underprivileged Indian families nationwide for this year's Deepavali celebration. In Kelantan, 100 Indian families received food baskets containing essential items such as rice and cooking oil. This assistance is part of the Petronas Foundation's ongoing commitment to brightening the Deepavali celebration of the Indian community nationwide.