KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department has made early preparations in facing the possibility of floods in four states – Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan – with 5,525 firefighters on standby.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the number comprised 2,817 fire officers, 628 auxiliary fire officers and 2,080 volunteer firefighters.

“I have ordered the department to make early preparations involving the firefighters, machinery and other assets,” he said in a post on his Facebook page.

According to him, 1,889 firefighters and rescuers from 33 stations for the locations along Sungai Mersing in Johor and 1,660 from 26 stations for those along Sungai Pahang, Sungai Kuantan and Sungai Rompin had been told to get ready in facing possible floods.

He said also involved in the operations were 964 personnel from 17 fire and rescue stations for the Sungai Besut, Sungai Dungun and Sungai Terengganu areas in Terengganu, and 1,012 from 21 stations for the areas along Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok in Kelantan.

Logistical preparations have also been made with 164 marine vehicles, 45 transport vehicles and 121 utility vehicles on standby.

“God willing, my teams and I will be giving updates and will monitor the situation from time to time, and ready to mobilise more assets in dealing with any possibilities,” said Reezal Merican.

Earlier, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) had issued an early flood forecast in Kelantan and Terengganu starting Dec 31, and for Pahang from Jan 1, 2022. – Bernama