MIRI: The Miri Fire and Rescue Department is the state of full preparedness to face any possibilities of the floods in the state expected between November and March, said its chief Supt Law Poh Kiong.
He said a total of 120 firefighters and the department’s assets comprising five boats would be used to monitor and evacuate affected residents in Miri and Marudi, respectively.
“A Mi-171 helicopter from Miri fire department air unit is also ready to send food supplies and assist in the evacuation operation,” he told Bernama here today.
According to Law, among the main challenges faced would be in the rural villages in Marudi as it requires fast action from the department since some areas could only be reached by river.
Besides, he expressed his concern about the possibility of facing the worst flood in the former forest fire and peat soil areas.
Prior to this, peat soil areas which were water catchment sites, had been destroyed by forest fires in August and this could lead to flooding, he added.
For the record, Miri experienced the worst forest and peat fires in Kuala Baram for 26 days since Aug 1, which resulted in the closure of two primary schools after it was hit by haze. – Bernama
