Melaka Fire and Rescue Department prepares for Northeast Monsoon with 500 personnel on standby and rapid deployment team for flood response
MELAKA: The Melaka Fire and Rescue Department has identified 106 flood-prone hotspot locations across the state ahead of the Northeast Monsoon.
Department director Mohd Zaidi Ma’at said the locations were identified in collaboration with the Melaka Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
The hotspots comprise 53 sites in Melaka Tengah, 27 in Alor Gajah and 26 in Jasin districts.
“Most of these flood-prone areas are those that frequently experience flooding during the MTL,” he told reporters after the Melaka JBPM November assembly.
Regular monitoring will be carried out with early warnings issued to ensure safe evacuations.
Mohd Zaidi said JBPM Melaka is fully prepared with assets, logistics, personnel and training for effective flood response.
About 500 firefighters and officers from various units are on standby and ready for mobilization.
The figure does not include volunteer and community fire brigades providing early response in their areas.
A Rapid Deployment Team has been established to enhance response efforts during the monsoon season.
The team comprises 15 members from three units on 24-hour standby at Ayer Keroh Fire and Rescue Station.
They are equipped with lorries, aluminium boats, life jackets and utility vehicles.
“If assistance is needed in neighbouring states, the Rapid Deployment Team must arrive within three hours,” Mohd Zaidi said.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department announced the Northeast Monsoon will begin this Thursday and continue until March next year.
Five to seven episodes of continuous heavy rain are forecast during the monsoon period. – Bernama
