The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department will deploy five helicopters and drones in preparation for the transition phase of the North East Monsoon in the country.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said the assets will be used to monitor flood locations as well as facilitate the search and rescue process, especially in remote locations where disasters occur.
“If there are signs of flooding, rising water levels and heavy rain, these air assets are ready to be utlilised when needed.
“For drones, we have a base centre in Subang and each state has a drone service while one helicopter is stationed in Borneo and four more in the Peninsula,” he said at a press conference after the Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Fire Science Series 1 commissioning ceremony at the JBPM Academy in Kuala Kubu Bharu here, yesterday.
Also present was the Secretary General of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Datuk M Noor Azman Taib who presented awards to 129 trainees wlho successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Fire Science courses.
Mohammad Hamdan said so far, the effects of the North East Monsoon shift can be seen in some areas such as Hulu Langat and Taman Seri Muda in Shah Alam but the situation is still under control.
“We have monitored and there is no serious damage… the water level is still under control but monitoring continues from time to time,” he said.
He said 333 JBPM stations throughout the country are ready 24 hours a day to deal with any situation, be it floods, disasters and other rescue efforts.
Previously, the Malaysian Meteorological Department predicted the North East Monsoon to start on 7 November and continue until March 2023. — Bernama
