Flood season: Nearly 1,300 Kelantan JBPM personnel on standy

KOTA BHARU: A total of 1,294 Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department personnel have been placed on standby to face the flood season, says its director Zainal Madasin.

He said the state Fire and Rescue Department had also prepared 57 boats of various types, 11 lorries, 37 four-wheel-drive vehicles, 203 units of communication equipment and 811 life jackets.

"We can also get assistance from states that are not affected by floods," he said when contacted, adding that annual leave would be frozen if massive floods occur.

Zainal elaborated the department would focus on 595 hotspots throughout the transitional phase of the Northeast Monsoon expected to begin next month until March next year including Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Jeli, Pasir Puteh and Kota Bharu.

"The fire department will also focus on sloped areas such as Gua Musang, Jeli and Kuala Krai," he said adding that such areas pose landslide risks, especially during continuous heavy rain.

Zainal also advised residents in low-lying areas to be vigilant during continuous heavy downpours, adding that the state Rescue Department personnel was actively monitoring these areas. - Bernama