By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, Oct 14: The Civil Defence Department (APM) is constantly updating the flood hotspots across the State in preparation for the monsoon season, said State APM director Abdul Wahab Rahim.
He said this would enable APM personnel to be deployed once the areas have been identified as flood hotspots.
“For APM, we are now regularly updating the flood hotspots in the State and by doing so, this will enable us to place our personnel in the area that has been identified as early preparation,” he told reporters today in conjunction with the monsoon season exercise at Serian lake.
He said there were already personnel deployed to the areas that have been identified as flood hotspots, while some have also been deployed to monitor the situation in other areas.
According to him, between 1,000 and 1,500 personnel were now deployed for such tasks at the moment.
“The number from time to time will eventually be increased to about 4,000,” he pointed out, adding that the monsoon season is expected to start next month.
He, however said that some areas in the western part of the State have already experienced the effects of the monsoon season.
Abdul Wahab also pointed out that APM had the necessary logistics to brace for possible floods, adding that additional equipment such as boats will come early December.
He also pointed out that the teamwork among the various agencies regarding the flood preparation was excellent.
“From my working experience, we can claim that we (Sarawak) are the best in terms of our collaboration,” he said, citing the recent Covid-19 pandemic, where the working relationship with various agencies was excellent.
The exercise today saw the participation of 180 personnel from 16 districts across the State. — DayakDaily
