Johor bahru: The Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is making preparations to face the Northeast Monsoon transition expected in October, focusing on 745 flood hotspots statewide. Its director, Siti Rohani Nadir, said 15 boats have been distributed to Community Firefighters in high-risk areas to strengthen preparedness.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the department has also received two utility vehicles, a Compact Fire Rescue Tender engine, and a smoke tent to speed up disaster response. Batu Pahat has the highest number of hotspots at 186, followed by Segamat with 103, Muar with 87, Kluang with 78, Tangkak with 59, Pontian with 58, Kota Tinggi with 56, Johor Bahru with 44, Mersing with 38, and Kulai with 36. “We have already seen heavy rain and minor floods. October will be the month of full preparedness,” Siti Rohani said.

On recent tremors in Segamat, Siti Rohani stated that JBPM is ready to respond to possible earthquakes, although monitoring is under the Malaysian Meteorological Department. “Our elite Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) is on standby for immediate deployment,” she said, adding that the Johor JBPM has introduced a new Key Performance Indicator for earthquake response.

A series of minor earthquakes were reported in Segamat and Batu Pahat, beginning on August 24 with a 4.1-magnitude tremor, followed by seven aftershocks of 2.5 to 3.4 magnitude between August 27 and September 3.