JOHOR BARU: The Fire and Rescue Department has put all 264 fire stations nationwide on alert in preparations for the monsoon season.

The directive was issued last week to all station chiefs to ensure all equipment needed for rescue and evacuation operations were in working condition.

The department’s 478 boats, 96 jet skis, 86 lorries and seven helicopters that will be deployed for the monsoon season have been placed on readiness.

Its director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Noor Ibrahim said that based on Meteorological Department reports, the monsoon was expected to hit between November and January.

“We expect it to be a normal monsoon season but we are ready for any eventuality,” he said, adding that the department would be coordinating efforts with other agencies, including the Civil Defence and Welfare Departments and the police.

Wan Mohd said the department would be focusing on Pahang, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.

He advised people in low-lying areas to adhere to the advice and warnings from relevant agencies, especially when it came to evacuation.

“Please do not wait until the last minute to move to the evacuation centres.

“I also hope that parents in flood-prone areas will keep a close tab on their children and stop them from playing near rivers, ponds or even drains,” he said.

Meanwhile, Johor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Hamid Suari said that 638 relief centres in the state were being prepared for any evacuation effort.

Johor was hit by major floods in 2007 and 2010.

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