Taking no chances: Flooding sandbags covered under blue tarpaulin sheets are placed along Sungai Gombak near WTCKL Hall 1, Kuala Lumpur.
PETALING JAYA: More than 5,000 areas at risk of natural disasters nationwide have been identified by the Fire and Rescue Department.
Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said of these 5,074 hotspots, 4,619 are flood hotspots, 201 water surge hotspots and 254 critical slopes.
Sabah has the highest number of hotspots (887) followed by Pahang (790), Kelantan (662), Terengganu (506), Selangor (467), Perak (374), Johor (369), Penang (246), Sarawak (241), Kedah (161), Negri Sembilan (159), Melaka (131), Kuala Lumpur (35), Perlis (32) and Labuan (14).
The hotspots are identified based on the findings of his department, as well as the Irrigation and Drainage Department, and the Minerals and Geoscience Department, Nor Hisham said.
The department is also keeping tabs on high tide phenomena, he said in an interview with The Star, “as floods can happen if strong winds and heavy rain happen in tandem with this”.
According to the Survey and Mapping Department’s MyPasangSurut dashboard, localities expected to have high tides this weekend are Sejingkat in Sarawak; Tanjung Gelang and Pulau Tioman in Pahang; Tanjung Sedili in Johor; and Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
Wise words: With the ongoing monsoon season, Nor Hisham (left) and Mohd Rosman reminded the public to take extra precautions.
Nor Hisham said the five to seven episodes of heavy rainfall forecast for the northeast monsoon season also posed the risk of falling trees and landslides.
He said 103 incidents of falling trees were reported alongside four landslides from Nov 1-14.
He said 24,263 Fire and Rescue Department personnel comprising full-time, auxiliary and volunteer members will be on duty for the year-end wet season, while 959 assets comprising light and heavy vehicles as well as rescue boats are ready for deployment.
He advised the public to take note of whether their homes or workplaces are in risk zones.
“Keep important documents in safe areas away from water and prepare an emergency kit containing food, water, medication and flashlight.
“Immediately evacuate if instructed to do so. Avoid being near flood-prone areas, slopes or strong water currents,” he said, also advising against crossing flooded roads or strong river streams.
Separately, Civil Defence Force (APM) disaster management and operations director Col (PA) Mohd Rosman Abdullah said 15,064 of its personnel are on standby for the northeast monsoon.
Mohd Rosman said APM also has a special unit comprising 161 personnel nationwide, while 678 land vehicles and 991 water vehicles are ready for deployment.
“There are also disaster support response teams to act as first responders whenever needed nationwide. This team will be mobilised together with vehicles and safety assets,” he said when contacted.
Mohd Rosman said APM, through its Kampung Siaga 221 initiative, also trains local communities on handling disasters.
To date, there are 41 Kampung Siaga 221 localities comprising 10,771 residents.
Among the localities involved are Kampung Melayu Sungai Lembing in Pahang, Kampung Trolak Pekan in Perak and Kampung Parit Yaani in Johor.
Mohd Rosman advised those living in known natural disaster hotspots to prepare a “ready to go” bag with essentials.
“Ensure electrical appliances are unplugged, be ready to evacuate and avoid driving through flooded areas,” he said.
Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, when contacted, said the Armed Forces started preparations in September.
“All members of the Armed Forces are ever ready to assist if floods occur,” he said.
