KUCHING: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) has everything in place to face the monsoon transition phase, forecast to occur this week.
Sarawak Bomba director Khirudin Drahman spoke to New Sarawak Tribune yesterday, saying, “We have already issued a directive to all zone and station chiefs…to be on the alert (to face the coming landas season).”
“All of our equipment, especially boats, engines, personal floatation devices, ropes and other related tools are all set and ready.”
Khirudin also noted that the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee held its first meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He further informed that the ‘Pangkalan Hadapan’ (emergency food supply base) was ready by the Community Welfare Department.
“The landing points for air support and logistics have already been identified. Leaves will be frozen for the rescue teams (personnel) if the need arises.
“Patrols to monitor flood prone areas have been intensified. Lastly, the Meteorological Department will keep us updated through our operation centre,” he stated.
Khirudin also urged the public to give their full cooperation to authorities during the monsoon season.
The Meteorological Department had said that the monsoon transition phase, which brings heavy rain and thunderstorms, had been predicted for the whole country this week, including Sabah and Sarawak.
The transition period is not expected to cause heavy floods but flash floods could potentially occur in areas which do not have good drainage systems.
