Kelantan:A total of 35 boats belonging to the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) are operational and ready for deployment during the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon, as confirmed by its director, Farhan Sufyan Borhan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, inspections and tests have been conducted to evaluate the operational readiness of the department's water rescue equipment. This process identified boats that could be repaired and returned to service. Farhan Sufyan stated that out of 45 boats, 35 are operational, while the remaining 10 are in poor condition.

Boats are considered critical assets for flood rescue operations, especially in areas inaccessible to land vehicles. However, Farhan Sufyan emphasized that the department's operational needs extend beyond boats, with land vehicles also crucial for evacuating flood victims and delivering essential supplies. The department is ensuring all available assets are on standby for potential flooding throughout the monsoon season.

Additional lorries and four-wheel-drive vehicles are required to enhance the department's logistical capacity, particularly in supporting flood rescue operations and distributing relief supplies. The department currently has eight three- and five-tonne lorries and 30 four-wheel-drive vehicles stationed at 22 fire stations across Kelantan. Farhan Sufyan highlighted the necessity for more land transport to deliver relief supplies during large-scale rescue operations requiring sustained logistical support.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued an alert-level continuous rain warning for multiple areas in Kelantan, Pahang, and Sabah, as well as all of Terengganu, valid until Wednesday. This warning includes districts such as Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, and Kota Bharu in Kelantan. Consequently, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage has warned of potential flooding in nine districts in Kelantan until Wednesday.