Agong attends flood preparedness briefing in Pahang

ROMPIN: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah attended a briefing on flood preparedness at the Rompin State Park here today.

The closed-door briefing, which lasted over an hour, started at 9.45 am and was delivered by Pahang Police Chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman.

Also in attendance were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and state secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yaacob, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee chairman, as well as department heads of various relevant agencies.

During the briefing, His Majesty instructed all quarters to make necessary preparations and pay attention to cleanliness aspects at temporary relief centres established to accommodate those affected by the floods.

Al-Sultan Abdullah was also informed that 763 flood-prone areas have been identified in Pahang, with Temerloh and Jerantut being the most at risk, while 290 locations are at risk of being cut off by floods.

This was based on the monthly rainfall forecast by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, which anticipated that Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin would experience moderate to heavy rainfall this month, followed by exceptionally high levels of rain in December.

Other districts are forecasted to receive moderate rainfall throughout the Northeast Monsoon season.

Therefore, 159 forward bases have been set up, as well as 856 relief centres which can accommodate 166,295 people in all districts. A total of 264 helicopter landing sites have also been identified for rescue missions and aid delivery if aerial assets are needed.

Regarding flood response operations, Al-Sultan Abdullah was informed that the Sub-Committee for Flood Victims Evacuation and Rescue has 5,770 officers and personnel from 13 agencies, along with 693 ground vehicles and 232 water assets ready for deployment during the disaster.

In terms of healthcare, the Pahang Health Department has identified 24,222 individuals who may require assistance during the flood season, including expectant mothers, individuals with continuous medication needs and bedridden patients.

Before the briefing commenced, His Majesty consented to release 70,015 fish fry comprising kelah, lampam sungai and terbul into the Kincin River within the state park.

The freshwater fish fry were obtained from two aquaculture development centres in Pahang, namely in Perlok, Jerantut and Bukit Tinggi, Bentong.

-- BERNAMA