HULU SELANGOR – The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) will mobilise five helicopters and drones in preparation for the transition phase of the northeast monsoon currently prevailing in the country.
JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid said the assets would be deployed to monitor flood locations as well as facilitate search and rescue missions, especially in remote disaster locations.
“If there are indications of flooding, rising water levels and rain, these air assets are ready to move when needed.
“For drones, we have a command centre in Subang and each state has drone services while one helicopter is stationed in Borneo and four more in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
He said this 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, today.
Also present was Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general Datuk M. Noor Azman Taib who presented awards to 129 trainees after successfully completing the Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Fire Science courses.
Hamdan said that so far the effects of the northeast monsoon transition 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 well 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 fire and rescue stations throughout the country are ready 24 hours a day to deal with any situation whether it is floods, disasters and other rescue efforts.
Earlier, the Malaysian Meteorological Department forecasts the northeast monsoon to start on November 7 and continues until March 2023. – Bernama, November 10, 2022
