SHAH ALAM, Oct 24 — The Selangor government will ramp up monitoring in flood-prone areas, especially during the monsoon transition season and high-tide phenomenon.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the state will reinforce embankments and improve emergency preparedness to be ready for any kind of disaster.
“We are intensifying controls especially in December, when there is usually a high-tide phenomenon. At that time, high-risk areas are often affected, and we hope there isn’t rain at the same time.
“As an early step, we are upgrading embankments and strengthening emergency teams’ preparedness. The number of at-risk areas fluctuates as there are areas where we have implemented mitigation projects, while new areas are being affected,” he said.
Amirudin was speaking to reporters after the State Disaster Management Squad deployment ceremony, held in conjunction with National Preparedness Month, at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building here today.
Earlier, he said the 5,000-strong squad involves members and officers from over 20 agencies, including uniformed bodies, local authorities, and state District and Land Offices.
According to him, the state squad is highly prepared to face any disaster, especially at year end.
“Activity coordination began two or three months ago, around July or August. We are highly prepared ahead of the monsoon transition, which is set to last till January or February.
“This disaster squad not only involves the usual agencies, but also the Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS), which coordinates volunteers,” Amirudin said.
