KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is in need of a more sophisticated meteorological forecasting system to better manage and reduce the impact of floods, says Datuk Bung Moktar Radin.

       The Deputy Chief Minister said that such a system will be able to provide highly accurate weather forecasts and allow for immediate steps to mitigate floods, especially in flood-prone areas.

       With a higher percentage of accurate forecasts, Bung said they would be able to channel such information to the public and prepare for possible floods.

       "If we have a more sophisticated and efficient weather forecasting system we can prepare earlier and this will certainly reduce the impact of the floods as well as help to mobilise aid to the victims," he said after the closing ceremony for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah backbenchers retreat in the northern Kudat district.

       The closing ceremony was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

       Bung said the flood disasters including the recent ones in January should serve as a lesson for everyone to take more proactive action to avoid deaths and losses.

       "We will propose to the Federal Government for disaster allocations as Sabah faces the risk of floods every year," said Bung, who is the state Works Minister.

       Bung said that aid equipment at the Disaster Operations Control Center throughout the district must also be complete and in good condition so that when there is a sudden natural disaster - especially floods - it can be mobilised immediately to provide assistance to the victims involved.