KOTA BARU: The rescue agencies of the 13 sub-provinces in Narathiwat, Thailand including those bordering with Malaysia are told to be on alert following the latest weather forecast.
Narathiwat Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department operations chief Lieutenant Muhaday Nithatnawaday Chakul said about 4,000 personnel of various agencies are on standby on any eventuality of flood to occur from now on.
He added the annual leaves of all the agencies involved have been frozen recently.
"All rescue agencies in the 13 sub-province include those in Sungai Golok which border with Kelantan, have been told to be on standby of any eventuality of flood or other disasters.
"Apart from monitoring their areas, they are also told not to hesitate to assist their Malaysian counterparts, especially those from Kelantan if there is a request," he said.
He said this when met at a Fire Chef competition organised by the Fire and Rescue Department here this evening.
The programme was launched by the department's director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin.
Muhaday said his agencies would normally assist Malaysia during the flood season in terms of rescuing flood victims and other cases including drowning.
"During the rainy season, our counterpart in Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan, will normally face some difficulties in the rescue work.
"We will lend our hands if (and when) the disaster happens near the Golok river," he added.
Yesterday, the Thailand Meteorological Department issued a 'stage 1' cold weather warning in the northern parts of Thailand and heavy rain in the south, with strong winds in the Gulf of Thailand effective from 16–19 Nov.