‘FOLLOW STATE’S FLOOD MODEL’
Terengganu manages floods effectively, says Shabery
STATES hit by the northeast monsoon were told to learn from Terengganu’s preparations in handling natural disasters. Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Penang and Kelantan, which were prone to floods, should emulate the experience and template of Terengganu in handling natural disasters in an integrated and confident manner.
He said some flood-prone states did not even have relief centres to house victims, or were not prepared to handle such disasters.
Shabery, who is Kemaman member of parliament, said Terengganu had vast knowledge and a comprehensive disaster management and flood evacuation system, having handled such emergencies for many years.
“More importantly, we have standard operating procedures via a template that is successful in mobilising rescue teams and assets to evacuate victims.
“This is due to the experience learnt from previous floods and in drills conducted periodically, especially to face challenges during the monsoon, which is bound to flood many villages and lowlying areas in the state.”
He said this at the Kemaman Flood Relief Centre’s Management Simulation Programme in Kampung Pasir Gajah near Air Puteh.
Shabery said Terengganu was able to manage its flood disasters efficiently owing to its readiness and preparedness, with plenty of simulation exercises held with Village Community, Welfare and Security Committees, uniformed enforcement agencies, volunteers and non-governmental organisations.
He said smartphones had made it possible to disseminate information via WhatsApp.
Such was Terengganu’s stance that its SOP covered everything from safety, security, healthcare and logistics to nutrition.
He said for the monsoon season, Terenganu had stockpiled one tonne of food and beverages to be mobilised to relief centres.
“The relief centres even cater to children, the aged, sick and handicapped with appropriate facilities, including for religious issues.
“We have the Armed Forces Religious Corps to guide victims for prayers, while the army has mobile kitchens to prepare meals.”
For Kemaman, Shabery said, it had prepared makeshift helipads for up to five aircraft to land at any one time, in Bukit Tagar near the zoo.
He said modernisation and development of villages and rural areas had changed the habitat and landscape, which could affect the flow of rain water from the highlands through rivers to the sea.