254 areas being monitored by the Fire and Rescue Department
JOHOR BARU: The Fire and Rescue Department is presently monitoring some 254 hotspots for possible landslips during the present rainy season.
Its deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad urged those living in hilly or near slopes to be cautious and alert the authorities if they notice any soil movements.
“So far, since November, we’ve had three cases of landslips including two in Cameron Highlands in Pahang and one in Puchong.
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“Luckily, there has been no casualty,” he said in an interview.
Nor Hisham said the incident in Puchong two days ago was outside the hotspot area.
On floods, he said the department was also monitoring 5,648 flood hotspots nationwide.
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“Sarawak tops the list with more than 1,000 hotspots followed by Sabah with over 600 hotspots and Kelantan and Pahang with 500 each,” he said.
He added that the department was also mobilising all its assets, including more than 435 boats for rescue operations nationwide.
“We will be using our drones to carry out aerial surveillance around flood-prone areas,” he said, urging those in low-lying areas to be ready to evacuate if it continues to rain over a period of time.
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He also urged the public to be wary of children near water bodies such as rivers, ponds, lakes and disused mining ponds during the monsoon season.
He also advised motorist travelling for the long holiday period to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles, especially their tyres, to ensure the vehicles do not skid off during the present wet season.
