KUANTAN: Police have placed some 2,000 officers and personnel across Pahang on standby for the eventuality of floods, following reports that the northeast monsoon (MTL) is expected to arrive earlier this year.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said simulation exercises to deal with the rainy season and possible floods were conducted with their partner agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department and Malaysian Civil Defence Force.
"We have held disaster coordination meetings with the other agencies and about 2,000 policemen will be deployed on the ground for MTL. Our logistics assets are on standby to be deployed when required at all 11 districts in Pahang.
"As the agency responsible to lead the flood evacuation committee, police will work closely with all the other departments to ensure flood rescue and evacuation will be coordinated smoothly.
"Preparations began early as we are unsure if the MTL will hit soon, end of the year or early next year.
"All district police headquarters have been instructed to identify the flood hotspots and temporary relief centres as part of the early preparation for the MTL.
"The weather situation will be closely monitored," he told reporters after attending the state police monthly assembly at the Pahang police headquarters here today.
After the assembly, Yahaya also launched the project to purchase a hearse for the Pahang police contingent using the concept of "waqaf" or endowment.
Meanwhile, Yahaya said flood monitoring will not be only restricted to low-lying areas along Sungai Pahang, but also extended to other rivers flowing in each district.
"For example, major floods struck settlements near Sungai Telemong, Bentong in 2021, forcing many residents to be evacuated. We cannot predict the floods so it is best for everyone to be prepared to move to relief centres in case of an emergency," he said.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the MTL was expected to commence as early as the fourth week of this month, compared with the initial forecast of the first week of November.