Penang identifies 51 flash flood hotspots, steps up monsoon preparedness, says Fire Dept

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 1 — The Penang Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) has identified 51 areas across the state as high-risk flash flood hotspots and stepped up daily patrols in preparation for the 2026/2027 North-east Monsoon (MTL).

Its director, Mohamad Shoki Hamzah, said Seberang Perai Tengah recorded the highest number of hotspots at 18, followed by Barat Daya (13), Timur Laut (10), Seberang Perai Utara (six) and Seberang Perai Selatan (six).

On the island, areas receiving particular attention include Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Patani, Jalan Mahsuri and the vicinity of Teluk Kumbar, including Kampung Paya and Kampung Suluk, as well as Balik Pulau.

“In Seberang Perai, high-risk areas include Sungai Jawi, Kampung Valdor, Sungai Juru, the area around SP Arena, Sungai Jarak in Tasek Gelugor, and several villages in Bertam, including Kampung Permatang Saga and Kampung Lahar Tiang,” he told Bernama.

He said daily patrols and continuous monitoring were being conducted at the identified locations to enable fire and rescue personnel to respond promptly to flash floods or rising river levels.

To ensure operational readiness, Mohamad Shoki said the department was maintaining at least 80 per cent of its personnel on duty at fire stations, with leave applications strictly regulated throughout the monsoon season.

He said the department had also conducted a Flood Operation Logistics Testing and Inspection Day (MTL Log Day) simultaneously at all fire stations yesterday to assess the readiness of its assets and equipment.

“The inspections covered rescue boats, land-based machinery, utility vehicles and supporting equipment, including personal flotation devices (PFDs) and chainsaws.

“Testing is essential to ensure that all assets are in optimal condition and functioning properly,” he said.

He added that the department’s Water Rescue Team (PPDA) had undergone intensive refresher training at Pulau Kendi in mid-October to enhance its technical skills, diving capabilities and ability to conduct water-based victim evacuation operations.

Meanwhile, Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said a meeting of the Penang Contingent-level Disaster Operations Response Committee was held last Friday to strengthen the preparedness of the police and relevant agencies for the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon.

He said the discussions focused on human resource capacity, the readiness of assets and logistics, and inter-agency coordination in responding to potential disasters.

“The discussions also centred on refining disaster response plans, coordinating operational assignments and resource allocation, ensuring readiness for rescue operations, and enhancing communication channels between agencies,” he said. — Bernama

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乔治市，11 月 1 日讯——马来西亚槟城消防救援局 (JBPM) 已确定全州 51 个地区为高风险山洪暴发热点地区，并加强了日常巡逻，为 2026/2027 年东北季风 (MTL) 做准备。

其总监Mohamad Shoki Hamzah表示，威省中热点数量最多，为18个，其次是巴拉达雅（13个）、帖木儿劳特（10个）、北威省（6个）和南威省（6个）。

岛上特别受关注的地区包括 Jalan P. Ramlee、Jalan Patani、Jalan Mahsuri 和 Teluk Kumbar 附近，包括 Kampung Paya 和 Kampung Suluk，以及浮罗山背。

“在威省，高风险地区包括双溪爪夷、甘榜瓦尔多、双溪柔鲁、SP Arena周围地区、打石牛汝莪的双溪加拉，以及伯淡的几个村庄，包括甘榜帕玛当萨加和甘榜拉哈田。”

他表示，已确定的地点将进行日常巡逻和持续监测，以便消防救援人员能够及时应对突发洪水或河流水位上涨。

为确保行动准备就绪，Mohamad Shoki 表示，该部门在整个雨季期间，消防站至少保持 80% 的人员值班，并严格控制休假申请。

他说，该部门昨天还在所有消防站同时进行了防洪行动后勤测试和检查日（MTL Log Day），以评估其资产和设备的准备情况。

“检查范围包括救援船、陆基机械、多用途车辆和辅助设备，包括个人漂浮装置（PFD）和链锯。

他说：“测试对于确保所有资产处于最佳状态并正常运行至关重要。”

他还补充说，该部门的水上救援队（PPDA）于 10 月中旬在肯迪岛接受了强化复训，以提高其技术技能、潜水能力和进行水上受害者疏散行动的能力。

与此同时，槟城警察总长拿督林光庆表示，槟城应急灾害行动应对委员会上周五召开会议，以加强警方和相关机构对2026/2027年东北季风的准备工作。

他表示，讨论的重点是人力资源能力、资产和后勤的准备情况以及应对潜在灾害的机构间协调。

他说：“讨论的重点还包括完善灾害应对计划、协调行动任务和资源分配、确保救援行动准备就绪以及加强各机构之间的沟通渠道。”——马新社

内政部表示，联邦与州政府关系牢固，吉兰丹州几乎所有发展项目申请均获批准，表明吉兰丹州发展项目申请已获批准。

“我们不能只是待在办公室里”：总检察长表示，总检察长的工作不仅限于法律事务，还积极参与社区活动。

没有被边缘化：Tengku Zafrul 表示，2023 年至 2027 年，沙巴和砂拉越农村道路拨款几乎增加两倍，达到 11 亿令吉