SUBANG Jaya City Council (MBSJ) is ready for the worst, says its deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali when asked about its preparations for the north-east monsoon.
He was speaking to reporters after the launch of a flood preparedness training session which drew 110 personnel at Taman Tasik Prima in Puchong, Selangor.
They comprised personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and Malaysia Civil Defence Department as well as Serdang and Subang Jaya police headquarters.
Mohd Zulkurnain said the authorities would be on the alert for any sign of impending floods till February next year.
He added that participating agencies had combined their assets which included 15 boats while flood alert systems would also broadcast to residents’ representative councils and village heads as well as on social media pages.
“In total, 10 sensor stations have been set up to warn of impending floods in places such as Subang Jaya, Kinrara, Seri Kembangan and Serdang.
“We have identified 25 flood and landslide hotspots and 60 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) are ready,” said Mohd Zulkurnain.
Maintenance and repair works have also been carried out on drainage systems and retention ponds to ensure water flow is not obstructed.
“We have put weirs in large drains to slow down rushing water.
“At Kampung Kenangan, we spent RM1.5mil on flood preparation work, near the IOI Mall area, up to RM4mil and Batu 14, RM1.5mil,” he said.
MBSJ Corporate Planning and Strategic Management deputy director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid, who went on a boat to rescue stranded flood victims in the 2021 December floods, said listening to instructions was vital.
He said early evacuation would not only save lives but reduce property loss, especially vehicles.
Azfarizal said planning started last November when a workshop was held with all relevant agencies.
“A booklet with a step-by-step plan has been distributed to all agencies.
“It includes locations of command centres, details on deployment of rescue teams, placement of flood victims as well as locations where affected residents can park their vehicles to avoid water damage.”
MBSJ Disaster Management Unit assistant administrative officer Sariman Abdullah said many personnel who would be involved in flood rescue missions were experienced.
He recounted his first rescue mission at 14 when, with the help of his father and brother, they moved an elderly stroke patient to safety after Kampung Bukit Rambai in his hometown of Melaka was flooded.
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