Over 5,000 flood hotspots identified nationwide - IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified 5,648 flood hotspots in 163 districts nationwide as authorities prepare to face the North-East Monsoon (MTL) onslaught.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the preparation was to facilitate the initial planning of the deployment and security intervention plan.

He said communities, especially those living in areas of flood risk, are asked to cooperate and obey instructions of the authorities to move for safety and avoid unwanted incidents.

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

"The security agencies involved are the (JBPM) Fire and Rescue Department (24,114), the Royal Malaysia Police (19,085), the Civil Defence Force (10,510), the Malaysian Armed Forces (4,205) and the People's Volunteer Corps (3,925)," he said today.

He said the operation would be led by Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali who has been appointed as the Central Disaster Operations Commander.

Razarudin said that meticulous planning has been made in anticipation of MTL which is predicted to start earlier this year, from November to March 2024.

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

"Police will also work closely with other security agencies to ensure that every mission to help and rescue victims can be carried out quickly," he said.

Police will also ensure that the level of security, including at the national borders, remains in focus throughout the flood disaster assignment, he added.

-- BERNAMA