KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of 2,869 uniformed personnel from several agencies and village security and development committees are ready to face the floods this year.
State Secretary Datuk Wan Nawawi Wan Ismail said the agencies involved were the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agencies and Rela.
He said the uniformed personnel, including officers from all the district offices, have completed simulation exercises to improve their preparedness and responses to the flood situation.
“We have identified 553 relief centres able to accommodate 131,875 flood victims,” he told reporters after chairing the 3rd meeting of the State flood disaster committee at Wisma Darul Iman today.
He said 142 forward bases and 20 mini depots have been stocked with food and other essentials and would be managed by the State Welfare Department.
“Three departments namely Meteorological Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Welfare Department have prepared their action plans, including early warnings to prevent untoward incidents," he said.
"Eight web-camera stations have been placed at flood prone areas in Setiu (2), Besut (2), Kemaman (2), Dungun (1) and Hulu Terengganu (1), by the State DID, which are also responsible for monitoring water levels at 38 stations near major rivers." he said.
He added that the state government would be spending about RM3 million in this years’ flood preparation.