KUANTAN: The Pahang Civil Defence Force has identified 763 flood-prone hotspots across the state with 660 officers and personnel placed on standby to be mobilised during the upcoming northeast monsoon.
Its director Colonel Che Adam A Rahman said data on the flood-prone areas obtained from the state Drainage and Irrigation Department showed Temerloh with the highest number of hotspots with 185 followed by Jerantut (106), Pekan (89), Lipis (88), Bera (70), Kuantan (64), Raub (56), Maran (51), Bentong (23), Rompin (20) and Cameron Highlands with 11.
"Information on the hotspots is vital to allow the Civil Defence Force along with the other agencies to conduct regular monitoring based on the Malaysian Meteorological Department's weather forecast. We will send our team to check the flood prone areas when there is information about heavy rain at the respective areas.
"Most of the flood risk hotspots are located along Sungai Pahang which passes through five districts and we will keep a close watch on the low-lying settlements near the river.
"Last week, trial runs were carried out on the early warning sirens installed at flood prone areas to alert residents to potential floods. The system is in good working condition," he told reporters at the state Civil Defence Force headquarters here today.
Che Adam said the 660 officers and personnel from all the 11 districts in Pahang have been exposed to all the required training to sharpen their skills in facing the northeast monsoon.
He said in terms of assets, the Civil Defence Force has placed 24 units of medical rescue vehicles, 17 units of light rescue vehicles, heavy rescue vehicles (15 units) and 72 boats of various sizes on standby to deal with the floods.
Meanwhile, Che Adam said 858 temporary flood relief centres which can house up to some 166,200 flood evacuees have been identified across Pahang.
He cautioned the public not to spread unverified information and circulate old images during the floods, and only obtain information from genuine sources.