Hilir Perak CDF rescuers stay on high alert amid monsoon flood risks

TELUK INTAN: More than 19 years of experience in handling flood disasters have not made rescue operations any easier, with each Northeast Monsoon season in Hilir Perak district demanding greater vigilance, preparedness and commitment.

Hilir Perak District Civil Defence Officer Captain Mohd Affindi Ishak said the challenging nature of the operations required personnel to remain on duty around the clock, working in shifts to ensure flood victims were safely evacuated to nearby temporary relief centres.

"I've been dealing with floods year after year, but it's never something to take lightly. The risks are real, and one wrong move could be fatal.

"We work around the clock in two shifts, from 8am to 8pm and 8pm to 8am, to help ease the burden on personnel involved in evacuating flood victims," he told Bernama at the Teluk Intan Municipal Council (MPTI) Rest House Hall relief centre yesterday.

Affindi said his team often faced unexpected situations, with what started as routine checks sometimes turning into urgent rescue missions.

"It happened last year when we were checking the water level of Sungai Sungkai at around 10pm. The river suddenly overflowed its banks, flooding homes in nearby Kampung Batu 9.

"Alhamdulillah, we had a four-wheel-drive vehicle with us at the time, so we managed to rescue two elderly residents trapped in their home and take them to a nearby relief centre," said the father of one.

Apart from rescue operations, Mohd Affindi said CDF personnel also closely monitored water levels in high-risk areas to detect any changes and respond quickly when needed.

"Our personnel regularly check water levels in rivers and high-risk areas using special equipment to track any changes and decide what action to take next," he said.

He said personnel also assisted with operations at relief centres, looking after the welfare and safety of flood victims while ensuring a smooth registration process.

"At the centres, we make sure flood victims are comfortable, help coordinate their needs and ensure those with health problems are quickly referred to nearby hospitals or clinics for further treatment," he said.

Meanwhile, Affindi said CDF had deployed three aluminium boats, two fibreglass boats, an amphibious boat and four four-wheel-drive vehicles to monitor flood-prone areas in Hilir Perak.

He said rescue efforts were also supported by additional personnel and equipment from other agencies, including the police and the Fire and Rescue Department, to ensure operations ran smoothly and effectively.

"We have 50 CDF personnel assigned to carry out rescue operations across all flood-prone areas in the district," he said. — BERNAMA