Personnel from various government agencies run emergency drills in readiness for northeast monsoon
SOME 214 personnel from various government organisations along with the security forces took part in a rural emergency disaster exercise at several locations around Ipoh, Perak, at end of October to prepare for the northeast monsoon season.
The two-day exercise included the Fire and Rescue Department, police, Civil Defence Force, Drainage and Irrigation Department and Health Ministry.
Present was national Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman.Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said the exercise was to raise the level of preparedness among those who would be deployed during major accidents or disasters.
“Additionally, the exercise will also evaluate the capability and mobilisation of firefighting and rescue assets and equipment,” she said, as reported by Bernama.
The exercise at Taman Rekreasi Kolam Sungai Pinji in Tanjung Rambutan simulated continuous heavy rain over several days that caused the Sultan Azlan Shah Dam in Hulu Kinta to “burst” due to rising water levels, resulting in “floods” at several villages.
As a result, 30 “victims” had to be evacuated by land and air to temporary relief centres.
The exercise also included activities at the Sungai Kinta water treatment plant where 10 “victims” were exposed to chlorine inhalation, while another session involved 10 “victims” going missing on Gunung Korbu.
