Perak APM To Mobilise 1,000 Personnel In Preparation For Northeast Monsoon

KAMPAR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The Perak Civil Defence Force (APM) is set to mobilise 1,000 personnel statewide in preparation for the Northeast Monsoon (MTL), which is forecast to impact the country at the end of this month.

State APM director Col (PA) Rohaizat Hadli said that all APM assets will be ready for deployment across the 12 districts expected to be affected by the monsoon phenomenon.

“To facilitate operations, we have 87 land vehicles of various types on standby, including lorries, four-wheel drives, ambulances, motorcycles, buses, and vans, along with 54 watercraft, such as boats and jet skis, which can be deployed as needed,” he explained.

“We have ensured that all these assets are in optimal condition following recent repair work and regular inspections,” he added.

Rohaizat made these remarks after inspecting the Perak APM Contingent Training Centre in conjunction with the National Civil Defence Assembly and exercise to face MTL 2024 at the Rakan Muda Kampar Complex.

Rohaizat said that the agency has identified over 110 areas in Perak at risk of disasters, including floods, landslides, and water surges, during this year’s Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season.

“The number of at-risk areas was determined based on a three-year case study, utilising information collected from technical departments such as the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). These areas require particular attention,” he explained.

"Additionally, we have been conducting Op Ramah since January to identify threats and risks, or emergency cases, within a 10-kilometre radius of the District Operations Control Centre (PKOD) on a daily basis," he added.

Furthermore, Rohaizat indicated that special monitoring has been focused on the Kinta, Larut Matang dan Selama (LMS), and Kerian districts, which frequently experience flooding each Northeast Monsoon season.

“We will intensify our monitoring efforts in these areas, as findings indicate that the highest number of affected victims originates from these three districts, particularly Kerian, which borders Kedah and Penang and often receives heavy rainfall,” he noted.

“Nevertheless, periodic monitoring will continue in other high-risk areas, adjusting the response based on the situation and determining whether an increase in personnel is necessary,” he said.

He also emphasised that preparedness will involve trained volunteers and civil defence auxiliary (CDA) teams within the community, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as needed.

-- BERNAMA