Perak Fire Dept To Mobilise Three Teams To East Coast To Assist Flood Relief Efforts

IPOH, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is set to mobilise three teams to the east coast to assist with ongoing flood relief efforts, as the Northeast Monsoon brings heavy rainfall to the region.

State JBPM director Sayani Saidon announced that teams from the Bagan Serai, Kuala Kangsar, and Tapah Fire and Rescue stations (BBP) would be mobilised to support the flood relief efforts.

“Each team consists of 13 personnel, along with essential utility vehicles, such as boats and lorries, as well as communication and rescue equipment,” she explained.

“Once we receive directives from the operations management centre in Putrajaya, we will activate and dispatch the teams immediately. This Rapid Response Team will be ready to respond swiftly if needed,” she said during a press conference after the monthly assembly at the state JBPM headquarters in Ipoh.

As of today, the number of flood evacuees in the east coast states continues to rise, with 29,023 people displaced in Kelantan and 8,215 in Terengganu, all of whom are being sheltered in temporary evacuation centres.

Meanwhile, Sayani said that the department had asked water activity operators to temporarily cease river-related activities during the Northeast Monsoon season, to avoid any unwanted incidents.

“With the arrival of monsoon season, water activities should stop for now, as lately there have been many drowning incidents which have claimed lives.

“When there is a loss of life, everyone will look for someone to blame. All parties should be vigilant so that no incidents occur which claim lives,” she said.

In a related development, Sayani said that 21 water surge locations in five districts in the state have been identified, including Kledang Saiong, Lata Ulu Chepor, Sungai Jahang and the Sungai Air Beruk picnic area.

On Nov 15, three Public Works Department (JKR) staff were reported to have drowned while rafting in Sungai Jahang, Gopeng, and two days later (Nov 17), a 20-year-old woman was found drowned in Sungai Air Beruk, Gerik

-- BERNAMA