Kedah and Perlis on flood alert- Malaysian Civil Defence

Sunday October 23, 2011

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/23/nation/9757177&sec=nation

ALOR SETAR: The floods in Thailand have put officials in Kedah and Perlis on alert, with relief centres already being identified in flood-prone areas.

Kedah Civil Defence Department Lt Kol Mohtar Samat said the department had been conducting weekly training for its 500 personnel over several months.

“We want everyone to understand their role during floods. The training covers rescue missions, too,” he said.

Mohtar said the department had 22 fibreglass boats and three five-tonne trucks that could be used during rescue missions, adding that it had also sent teams to survey flood-prone areas in Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Padang Terap and Kota Setar.

“Our focus is on the Padang Terap and Kubang Pasu districts, since the areas would be the first to bear the brunt of rising waters.

“We have inspected rivers there, especially Sungai Padang Terap, Sungai Wang Tepus, Sungai Anak Bukit and Sungai Bakar Bata,” he said.

Perlis Welfare Committee chairman Mansor Jusoh said the state was ready to handle any flood.

He said if the floods reached Sadao or other southern Thai districts, there was a possibility that the state would be similarly affected.

Mansor said a committee had been formed to monitor the flood situation, including checking the water level at the Timah Tasoh dam.

“The state Drainage and Irrigation Department has been giving us updates on the water level,” he said, adding that over 20 flood relief centres in Padang Besar, Kangar and Arau had been identified.

He added that the state had also identified suppliers of essential food items for the relief centres.

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