JOHOR BAHRU, The Johor Civil Defence Force (APM) has made preparations for facing the northeast monsoon, including ensuring its human resource strength and assets are adequate to deal with floods.

Johor APM director Kamal Mokhtar said 1,264 officers and men, 72 boats and 34 land vehicles were ready to be deployed to help affected residents.

Johor APM activated its Flood Operations Room on Nov 1 and has so far identified 874 flood hotspots.

“Johor APM has also implemented the ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ in efforts to lessen the risk of disasters, covering the elements of training and mitigation plans. Through the ‘Programme for Local Engagement Approach for Disaster and Emergency Response’ (LEADER), 65,701 people have been trained.

“This programme encompasses safety lectures for residents at risk and safety programmes for students of primary and secondary schools and higher learning institutions,” he said in a statement today.

Kamal said at the community level, the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) programme was conducted in high-risk areas.

“Every head of household is advised to prepare a ‘Ready to Go Bag’ containing important documents, emergency clothing, medicines, torchlights, ready-to-eat food and other necessities for emergency use.

“The public is also advised to keep track of weather conditions and be ready to be evacuated to relief centres if their areas are flooded,” he said.

Yesterday, the Meteorological Department said the northeast monsoon was expected to start this Saturday and last until March next year.

The early phase of the monsoon, expected from this month until January next year, is forecast to bring heavy rains to Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and western Sarawak.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency