Cops identify more than 5,600 flood hotspots in the country

 

Police trying out boats donated by the private sector to rescue flood victims at a lake in Putrajaya in December last year. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified 5,648 flood hotspots in 163 districts nationwide as authorities prepare to face the northeast monsoon onslaught.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said communities, especially those living in flood-prone areas, should cooperate and obey instructions from the authorities to move to safety and avoid unwanted incidents.

He said 61,839 personnel from five security agencies, including the police force, were ready to be mobilised.

The security agencies involved are the fire and rescue department (24,114), the police force (19,085), the Civil Defence Force (10,510), the armed forces (4,205) and the People’s Volunteer Corps or Rela (3,925).

Razarudin said the operation would be led by Bukit Aman internal security and public order director Hazani Ghazali, who has been appointed as the central disaster operations commander.

Razarudin said meticulous planning had been made in the advent of monsoon, which is predicted to start earlier than normal, from November till March 2024.

According to him, police are also preparing to mobilise their assets. These include 503 boats, boat trailers (206), lorries (497), four-wheel drives (802), ambulances (17), jet skis (15), life jackets (6,028) and eight aircraft.

“Police will also work closely with other security agencies to ensure every mission to help and rescue victims can be carried out quickly.”

Police will also ensure security, including at the national borders, during the flood season. - FMT