3,500 Police Personnel On Standby To Assist Flood Victims In Northern Peninsula
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department Director Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Some 3,500 police personnel are placed on standby to provide assistance in the event of worsening floods in states in the north, said Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department Director Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah.
He said currently 187 personnel, among them, the Federal Reserve Police, Air Wing and General Operations Force had been deployed to Penang to assist flood victims.
"The number (187 personnel) does not include the existing strength in Penang. The military and Department of Volunteers (RELA) are also involved in aiding the flood victims.
"If needed, the police will deploy its air assets to help evacuate flood victims and channel aid,"he told a media conference in Bukit Aman, here today.
He said Penang Police chief Datuk Wira Chuah Ghee Lye, acting as the operations commander, has been asked to coordinate the emergency aid with other agencies.
"The control centre operates 24 hours to monitor the situation and the main focus is to ensure the safety of the flood victims while police will also patrol the abandoned houses,"he said, adding that the people were also reminded to adhere to police advice to evacuate immediately if asked to do so.
Zulkifli said 10 patrol vehicles and several motorcycles estimated to cost over RM600,000 were damaged in the floods that hit Penang and Kedah and the losses incurred were being ascertained.
Most parts of Penang were affected by floods with several areas submerged in between 0.2 metre and one metre of water while strong winds and heavy rain since 2 pm on Thursday had uprooted dozens of trees. So far the floods in Penang have claimed seven lives.
In Kedah some 2,614 flood victims are evacuated at over 20 relief centres involving 748 families from Yan, Kuala Muda and Kulim districts up to 3 pm today.
-- BERNAMA
