KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has made early preparations in facing the possibility of floods in four states -- Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan -- with 5,525 firefighters on standby.
Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the number comprised 2,817 fire officers, 628 auxiliary fire officers and 2,080 volunteer firefighters.
"I have ordered the JBPM to make early preparations involving the firefighters, machinery and other assets," he said in a post on his Facebook page today.
According to him, 1,889 firefighters and rescuers from 33 stations for the locations along Sungai Mersing in Johor and 1,660 from 26 stations for those along Sungai Pahang, Sungai Kuantan and Sungai Rompin had been told to get ready in facing possible floods.
He said also involved in the operations would 964 personnel from 17 fire and rescue stations for the Sungai Besut, Sungai Dungun and Sungai Terengganu areas in Terengganu and 1,012 from 21 stations for the areas along Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok in Kelantan.
Logistical preparations have also been made with 164 marine vehicles, 45 transport vehicles and 121 utility vehicles on standby.
"God willing, my teams and I will be giving updates and monitoring the situation from time to time and ready to mobilise more assets in dealing with any possibilities," said Reezal Merican.
Earlier, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) had issued an early flood forecast in Kelantan and Terengganu starting Dec 31 and for Pahang, from Jan 1, 2022.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Dec 29 2021
JBPM has made early preparations in facing the possibility of floods in Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan with 5,525 firefighters on standby, said Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. - BERNAMA filepic
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.