ARMED FORCES TO SCOUT FLOOD RISK AREAS BEFORE NEXT WAVE HITS - KHALED

PASIR MAS, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will survey flood risk areas to prepare for the next wave of floods as the Northeast Monsoon continues till this March.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the armed forces, with the assistance of other agencies, will gather information of the areas where the floods are expected to hit again.

“We will learn from the first and second waves, I believe the armed forces know about the areas that have high potential of being flooded again.

“The checks on flood-prone areas is to ensure the armed forces know which boat route, which house has higher danger levels compared to other houses, which area doesn’t have hills and valleys when the flood hits,” he told reporters after visiting flood evacuees at the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Gual Tinggi, Rantau Panjang here, accompanied by Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.

He expressed satisfaction about the armed forces’ assignments under Op Murni in assisting local authorities to rescue and evacuate flood victims in Kelantan dan Terengganu, which involves 71 officers and 1,057 personnel since Nov 27.

“We still have reserves, that means after a few weeks, there are those who can go back and rest in camps and be replaced, so every time we have those on duty.

“But if things get worse and numbers keep rising, we can mobilise everyone in Kelantan and Terengganu,” he said, as he reminded residents whose homes are flooded to evacuate immediately before the floodwaters got too high to ensure that rescue efforts were focused on areas that really required them.

“Don’t wait till the water rises to your knees, hips, shoulders and all that. At least when the public makes the decision to evacuate, operations can be reduced and focused on where they are needed,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled also noted that there were armed forces personnel who are affected by floods as some of them live with civilians but said details of those affected would be issued later.

Meanwhile, border control duties would continue as usual even with flooding as they have been prearranged.

“Border control duties are continuous as allthose operations are prepared for, floods or not, come war, the operations must be there. Operations will not stop just because of floods or some other disaster,” he said.

Mohammed Khaled had earlier presented donations to seven flood evacuees stationed at the Malaysian Army’s 8th Infantry Brigade Headquarters - one officer, five personnel of other ranks and one civilian - staying in Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Bachok.

-- BERNAMA