MONSOON: KELANTAN DID MONITORS 82 HYDROLOGICAL STATIONS, 42 FLOOD WARNING SIRENS

KOTA BHARU, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) is monitoring 82 hydrological stations to collect real-time rainfall and water level data in preparation for the northeast monsoon season.

Its director, Dr Siti Fairus Zakaria, said the stations include 33 water level stations and 49 rainfall stations statewide, all accessible via the Public Infobanjir portal.

“In terms of district distribution, Gua Musang has 14 rainfall stations, followed by Jeli with seven, Kuala Krai with six, Pasir Puteh and Pasir Mas with five each, Tanah Merah with four, Kota Bharu and Bachok with three each and Machang and Tumpat with one each.

“For water level stations, there are seven in Kuala Krai, six in Gua Musang, four each in Tanah Merah and Jeli, three each in Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu and Pasir Puteh and one each in Machang, Tumpat and Bachok,” she said when contacted by Bernama today.

She said 42 flood warning sirens have been installed at hotspot locations to alert residents and facilitate early evacuation to temporary relief centres when necessary.

“The sirens are located at 12 locations in Gua Musang, eight in Kuala Krai, five each in Tumpat and Tanah Merah, four in Pasir Mas, three in Jeli, two each in Kota Bharu and Machang and one in Pasir Puteh,” she said.

Siti Fairus said the department has also installed 10 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor rising river levels and deployed 117 river gauges in flood-prone areas.

“We have also prepared 23 mobile pumps of various capacities, nine trucks, including five crane trucks, and 50 utility and four-wheel-drive vehicles to support flood operations in affected areas.

“Six emergency drainage projects for flood mitigation have been completed at a cost of over RM21 million,” she said.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast the northeast monsoon season, which began on Nov 5, to last until March 2025, with five to seven episodes of heavy rainfall expected in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah.

-- BERNAMA