Robust rescue protocol, updated assets among Selangor authorities’ strategies
KLANG: Selangor believes it is better prepared to prevent a repeat of the 2021 flooding tragedy despite the predicted torrential rainfall in the coming days.
Selangor Disaster Management Unit principal assistant secretary Mohd Azhar Mohd Daud said the state is collaborating with the army and relevant agencies, which are all on standby.
“The agencies have also crafted their action plans, with all assets for search and rescue operations already placed in strategic locations,” he added.
Mohd Azhar said the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) has identified 79 flood hotspots and 354 potential flooding areas throughout the state, with the state Welfare Department gazetting 1,152 temporary evacuation centres.
Guidelines for search and rescue operations and the handling of victims with health issues are also in place, he said, adding that an ample supply of essential items has also been stocked up.
He said assets such as water pumps, telemetry and discharge gauging equipment, warning systems, and camera stations – to monitor rainfall, water levels and flooding – are checked daily.
Also on alert is Team Selangor, the state’s voluntary unit, which is training its active volunteers and others in their respective residential areas.
Chief operating officer Sadina Suffian said volunteers have been training with the state Disaster Management Unit and the Selangor Civil Defence Force (APM).
“Currently, our volunteers are undergoing technical training with the state APM. We are also targeting younger people to become volunteers,” she added.
Sadina said the unit’s active volunteers have also been picked to identify flood-prone areas at their own and adjacent zones.
In addition, she said residents who volunteered with Team Selangor have also been provided with all the necessary details and contact numbers in the event of flooding.
It is learnt that Team Selangor has mobilised 2,500 volunteers specifically for disaster preparation and is targeting to recruit 800 more volunteers from universities and colleges.
Selangor executive councillor in charge of disaster management Mohd Najwan Halimi said the state has strengthened its early warning systems to provide timely weather alerts on anticipated rainfall levels via a collaboration with the Meteorological Department.
“This allows for rapid dissemination of rainfall and weather information to the public, community leaders and relevant agencies,” he said.
Recognising the need for a long-term solution, he said the state government is also conducting drainage infrastructure improvements.
“Efforts are ongoing to upgrade and maintain rivers, canals and other water pathways to facilitate faster water flow and reduce overflow risks during heavy rainfall.
“These measures are supported by ongoing collaboration with relevant engineering and environmental agencies, ensuring a scientific approach to flood prevention and water management,” said Mohd Najwan.
With Klang being one of the flood-prone areas in the state, the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) is also ensuring that drains are clog-free to enable flow without obstruction.
MBDK councillor Lee Fu Haw said work has been under way since June to clean drains in the city.
“We will continue doing it to prevent obstruction in the event we are hit with heavy rainfall and massive flooding,” he said.
Lee also said clean-up work is also being carried out in recreational parks and playgrounds.
Fellow councillor S. Nyaneswaran said he has been visiting homes in his Taman Sentosa zone to get residents to restore the drain slab covers in front of their gates to their original form, which has a hole in the centre for flood water to flow into the drain.
“Many residents cover up the hole and even tile this area.
“When there is flooding, water flows directly into their houses as the outlet into the drain is no longer there,” he explained.
Nyaneswaran warned that those who seal the hole in the drain slab can be issued compounds of up to RM1,000 by the council.
According to a report, Selangor was the most affected state by the floods in December 2021, recording losses of RM3.1bil.
Three days of torrential rain caused severe flooding in eight states, with at least 14 people dead and thousands displaced following some of the worst floods the country had seen in years.
