S’gor upgrading infrastructure to deal with flood woes

GOMBAK: Selangor will upgrade infrastructure in areas previously identified for its flood occurrences to mitigate the risk, or at least minimise the impact of such disasters.

State youth, sports and entrepreneurship development committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the Selangor Mentri Besar had directed the state infrastructure committee to convene all relevant agencies for discussions on identifying and upgrading infrastructure to deal with flood mitigation.

“There are 97 flood hotspots, such as in Kampung Sesapan, and Batu Rembau under the Hulu Langat district,” he said after the Selangor state boat handling and water confidence training programme at the Batu Dam here.

The training programme was organised as preparation for all agencies and departments in dealing with the northeast monsoon season.

Mohd Najwan said the programme was meant to enhance self-confidence, improve boat handling skills, and strengthen the effectiveness of inter-agency communication through the use of the Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN).

This preparedness exercises involved coordination among the agencies and departments at the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) and State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) levels.

“We are also testing our assets, including an amphibian boat owned by the state government, which was acquired after the major floods in 2021.”

He said a total of 138 participants took part in the training.

They were from nine district and Land Offices, 12 local authorities and response agencies, including the Selangor Civil Defence Force, Selangor police contingent headquarters, and the 11th Malaysian Infantry Brigade.

“I am also delighted by the involvement of volunteers from the Selangor State Sports Council (SERVE), who participated in several theory and practical sessions during this training led by trainers from the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department,” he added.