PETALING JAYA: The Fire and Rescue Department will monitor 5,648 flood-prone areas, 254 critical slopes and 201 water surge hotspots nationwide during the northeast monsoon season starting next month.
Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the need for early preparations is even more critical, given the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (MetMalaysia) forecast of above-average rainfall due to the developing La Nina weather phenomenon.
Khairul Shahril.“Based on our data as of Sept 4, the territories of Sarawak and Sabah have the highest number of flood-risk areas and critical slopes, followed by Pahang, Johor and Kelantan,” he told The Star.
A total of 1,006 flood-prone areas, 21 critical slopes and 19 potential water surge locations were identified in Sarawak, while 798 flood-prone areas, 36 critical slopes and 52 potential water surge locations were found in Sabah.
There are 750 flood-prone areas, 25 critical slopes and three potential water surge locations in Pahang; 745 flood-prone areas, 25 critical slopes and five potential water surge locations in Johor; while Kelantan has 617 flood-prone areas, 25 critical slopes and 18 potential water surge locations.
Earlier this month, MetMalaysia deputy director-general (strategic) Ambun Dindang said the 2024/2025 northeast monsoon will begin in November and continue until March 2025, with an expected four to six episodes of prolonged heavy rainfall during this period.
Heavy rainfall is likely to affect Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang between November and December – with Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak expected to experience increased rainfall from December through January.
MetMalaysia also forecast above-average rainfall of between 20% and 40% for the next six months in several parts of the country.
It said there is a 71% chance for the La Nina weather phenomenon to form between October and November this year, which usually brings about wetter weather conditions, and it is expected to continue until early 2025.
Meanwhile, Nor Hisham said the department has activated preparedness plans, including placing its personnel on standby, due to the uncertain weather conditions brought about by the forthcoming monsoon and La Nina.
He said a total of 24,671 firemen based in 340 Fire and Rescue stations nationwide will be ready to respond in the event of floods or other disasters.
“If the situation demands, the department will freeze or limit leave to between 80% and 100%.
“The work shifts will also be extended from 12 hours to 24 hours to ensure that there will be sufficient personnel to respond to flood emergencies.
“This includes sharing personnel and equipment between states if a particular state is hampered by personnel issues,” he added.
Nor Hisham also said 22 “Red Team” units, comprising a commander and four rescue personnel, will be on rapid emergency deployment within an hour upon receiving orders to respond. He said these teams will be on call around the clock and act swiftly to shorten response time.
Nor Hisham.Meanwhile, National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said the agency has also begun to deal with incidents of natural disasters brought about by the weather.
“We are conducting continuous exercises to gauge the level of preparedness of our responders, non-governmental organisations and local communities.
“This includes issuing the necessary guidelines to the relevant government agencies and state governments, including at the community level, on how to handle such disasters,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Khairul Shahril said the focus should not only be on how to tackle floods but also on other natural disasters that often occur due to excessive rainfall and turbulent weather conditions.
“We usually focus on floods, and rightly so because floods can affect a large area with thousands of people.
“But there are also other dangers that we will monitor, such as landslides and water surges, as they can result in loss of lives and property damage,” he added.
