Pantas ready for Klang emergencies
KLANG Royal City Council’s (MBDK) Quick Response Team (Pantas) is geared up to face any eventuality arising from thunderstorms.
Klang mayor Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan assured that the men-in-blue, her codename for the Pantas team, were well prepared and would spring into action if the weather caused floods or trees to fall.
“Our team is trained to handle disaster mitigation and response strategies.
“MBDK’S Pantas will be on 24-hour alert to monitor floodprone areas.
“If a thunderstorm occurs, the team will immediately move to low-lying areas to keep watch,” she said.
Noraini said the team underwent training to respond within half an hour in view of extreme weather that could bring intense rains and strong winds.
“Within Pantas, there is a small team for emergency response in case of a disaster.
“It is crucial to have this team as they are trained to make quick assessment of the situation and deliver the report,” said Noraini.
“There are a total of 24 people in six teams, operating in shifts.
“Each shift will see two teams, where one team will patrol north Klang while the other will patrol south Klang.
“We have three shifts, midnight to 8am, 8am to 5pm and 3pm to midnight,” she said.
She further said that for south Klang, areas identified for patrols or to keep watch on were Bandar Putera, Bandar Puteri, Sentosa, Taman Selat Damai, Taman Melawis, Simpang Lima and Jalan Tengku Kelana.
For north Klang, under watch are Bandar Bukit Raja, Jalan Meru, Pekan Meru and Batu Belah.
“Other areas are observed through closed-circuit television cameras and via calls from the public as well as by monitoring posts on social media from time to time,” she added.
On the drainage network that ran along low-lying plains, Noraini said MBDK’S Environmental Services Department had carried out drain flushing and cleaning in flood-prone areas.
“Drains need to be free of obstructions as it is crucial to prevent floods.
“We urge the people to work with the city council to ensure drains right outside their houses are free of litter,” she said.
Noraini added that KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd workers would be told to follow the drain cleaning schedule for residential areas that required cleaning on the second and fourth week of the month, to ensure smooth water flow and avoid clogging.