On flood watch: Port Klang Fire and Rescue Station firefighters Muhammad Aizuddin Zulkifle and Mohd Sanizam Mohd Safiee checking a boat’s engine while Muhammad Zulfikar Firdaus and Muhamad Hisyam Mohammad sort life vests in preparation for possible floods. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Firefighters are on high alert ahead of the northeast monsoon, with more than 4,000 potential disaster hotspots identified and thousands of personnel ready to be deployed at short notice.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said 3,683 flood hotspots were identified nationwide alongside 254 critical slopes and 201 water surge hotspots.
Pahang had the highest number of disaster hotspots (788), followed by Kelantan (661), Sabah (605), Terengganu (503), Johor (373), Perak (322), Sarawak (204), Kedah (165), Negri Sembilan (159), Melaka (113), Selangor (90), Penang (67), Kuala Lumpur (41), Perlis (29), Labuan (15) and Putrajaya (three).
Nearly 1,000 of the agency’s assets including 536 land units such as four-wheel drives, vans and trucks, are ready for deployment. Some 447 marine assets, like boats and inflatable rafts, are also on standby.
Some 24,053 personnel will also be on duty for the coming monsoons, comprising 13,490 full time officers, 8,421 auxiliary members, and 2,142 voluntary officers.
“Personnel from states that are not affected by the floods will be mobilised to flood zones, if necessary.
“Personnel at the department’s training academy can also be mobilised.”
Nor Hisham said, when contacted, there will also be an emphasis on several locations in the peninsula as well as Sabah and Sarawak.
In the peninsula, the locations include Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang due to its history of major flooding episodes during the northeast monsoon season.
Mersing, Segamat and Kota Tinggi in Johor have also been identified as priority areas, as they are usually affected between December and January.
In Sabah, the districts of Kota Kinabalu, Beaufort and Tenom have been flagged for heightened monitoring due to the risk of landslides and flash floods, especially in hilly terrain and areas with poor drainage systems.
Focus is also placed on Kuching, Sibu and Kapit in Sarawak due to the risk of floods and landslides due to land structures and rainfall patterns.
On preparations for the forecast weak La Nina during the northeast monsoon, Nor Hisham said rescue assets will be strategically stationed at high risk locations.
“Mock drills have also been carried out together with other relevant agencies to ensure a swift and coordinated response.
“More officers will also be stationed at hotspots,” said Nor Hisham.
“Voluntary officers have also been activated in rural areas.”
There are also 22 Rapid Action Teams stationed across the country, and are ready to be mobilised at any time.
Three Regional Forward Bases have also been established nationwide to house both personnel and aid logistics.
They are at the department’s academy in Terengganu, the Perda Fire and Rescue Station in Penang and the Ayer Hitam Fire and Rescue Station in Johor.
The northeast monsoon, which usually brings about major flooding episodes, has been predicted to take place between November 2025 to March 2026.
Between five to seven episodes of heavy downpours have been forecast to occur during this period, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
A weak La Nina phenomenon has also been forecast to coincide during this period.
Previous instances of disasters during the northeast monsoon season include major flooding across the east coast states of the peninsula, the floods that paralysed parts of Shah Alam and Klang in 2021 as well as the Batang Kali landslide in 2022.
