PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) is geared up to face the impending northeast monsoon, although its task would be doubly challenging if it hits during the national polls.
Its disaster management and operations director Col (PA) Sharudin Md Zain said among the measures being taken were efforts to educate the community on managing natural disasters.
This includes training on handling disasters, disaster preparedness workshops, as well as simulation exercises with other agencies.
“APM has also been tasked with registering and managing temporary relief centres in tandem with rescuing victims, and providing basic supplies together with the Welfare Department, among others,” he said when contacted.
He said 10,510 APM members are ready to be deployed for impending natural disasters, as are its other assets.
These include 759 boats, 481 vehicles including vans and ambulances, 5,772 lifejackets, 6,010 temporary relief centres, 64,310 C-tents and 144 generator units.
“A total of 69 simulations have also been conducted nationwide in preparation for the northeast monsoon,” he said.
“This includes tabletop exercises, field training exercises, temporary relief centre management, search and rescue missions alongside community-based disaster risk management programmes.”
Sharudin, however, said there would be some difficulty if the northeast monsoon coincided with the 15th General Election, given how many of its officers would be performing dual tasks.
“There is the possibility that voting stations will be in the same location as temporary relief centres. Despite this, agencies already have strategies in place to ensure smooth operations in case this occurs.“This includes carrying out our tasks at our election beat bases, conducting patrols during the voting period, ensuring the safety of the public when casting their votes and providing emergency assistance or treatment if needed,” he added.
Sharudin also advised the public to be prepared for emergencies and to follow the advice of the authorities.
“Most importantly, do not panic and prepare sufficient essentials for yourself. Only get the latest news and information from verified sources,” he said.
The northeast monsoon, which usually starts in mid-November and lasts till March the following year, sees increased rainfall and major floods.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said at least four to six episodes of heavy and prolonged rains are forecast to occur during the northeast monsoon.
Its director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said this is caused by the presence of low-pressure systems and monsoon surges.
“If these (two) coincide, prolonged rains will carry on for even longer periods and can even spill over to other areas,” he told The Star.
On whether more rainfall was expected during the upcoming northeast monsoon, Muhammad Helmi said it was still too early to tell.
“The intensity of the northeast monsoon also differs each year due to various reasons such as the presence of low-pressure systems and typhoons in the region,” he said.
Muhammad Helmi added that most parts of the west coast and interior of the peninsula, central Sarawak and the west coast of Sabah usually experience thunderstorms and rains during the later parts of the day during the current inter-monsoon phase which will last until mid-November.
“During the northeast monsoon, however, heavy rains will occur in east coast states of the peninsula, western parts of Sarawak and east Sabah during the earlier parts of the day,” he said.
“In the evening, thunderstorms can occur in the west coast states of the peninsula, the interior of Sarawak and west Sabah,” he added.
