KUCHING, Sept 29 — Sarawak is on high alert to face the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) that is expected to occur from November to March 2026, with over 7,000 frontline personnel, over 20,000 volunteers and about 12,000 logistic assets in place to tackle any flood incidents in the state.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said a total of 7,407 personnel from various security and rescue agencies, such as the police, State Health Department, Social Welfare Department, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), have been mobilised.
“We have 3,637 land assets, including multi-purpose vehicles; 8,619 water assets, including boats; as well as 14 air assets like helicopters and drones.
“In addition, a total of 22,428 volunteers have been mobilised to serve as field support staff,” he told a media conference after chairing the meeting to prepare for the MTL here today.
Uggah, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the state government has also strengthened the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which comprises community committees in villages and longhouses, to handle preliminary action should there be a disaster in the interior.
“This is crucial because there are areas that are very far, and it will take time for the rescue vehicles to reach them. So, the residents are trained to save lives and property first,” he said, adding that floods in the state normally occur between January and March.
Commenting on the support facilities, Uggah said 658 temporary relief centres have been identified statewide.
He added that the state Social Welfare Department has also prepared a depot in Kota Samarahan and 28 forward bases as storage centres for food supplies and essentials that will facilitate the process of distributing aid to flood victims.
“We have instructed every resident to check on the condition of the relief centres. If there is damage, it must be repaired immediately.
“The state Public Works Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department, as well as the local authorities, have been asked to monitor the roads, slopes and hilly terrains that are at risk to avoid incidents of landslides like the one that occurred in Miri previously,” he said.
Uggah said the UKPS has also been tasked with leading the team on the field and deployed with the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) to strengthen the capability of rescue agencies at the grassroots level. — Bernama
