North-east monsoon: Kelantan Fire Dept readies 35 boats for flood rescues

KOTA BHARU, Nov 10 — A total of 35 of the 45 boats belonging to the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) are operational and ready for deployment during the 2026/2027 North-east Monsoon, said its director Farhan Sufyan Borhan.

He said inspections and tests had been conducted to assess the operational readiness of the department’s water rescue equipment and identify boats that could be repaired and returned to service.

“We have a total of 45 boats, of which 35 are operational while the remaining 10 are in poor condition,” he told Bernama recently.

Farhan Sufyan said boats were among the most critical assets in flood rescue operations, particularly in flooded areas inaccessible to land vehicles.

However, he said the department’s operational requirements extended beyond boats, with land vehicles also playing a vital role in evacuating flood victims and delivering food and other essential supplies to affected areas.

Farhan Sufyan said the department would ensure that all available assets remained on standby to respond to possible flooding throughout the monsoon season.

He said additional lorries and four-wheel-drive vehicles were needed to strengthen the department’s logistical capacity, particularly in supporting flood rescue operations and the distribution of 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, he said.

“Our most pressing need is for additional lorries and four-wheel-drive vehicles. There are already many boats available, not just within the JBPM but also in other agencies,” he said.

He said land transport was essential for delivering relief supplies, particularly during large-scale rescue operations that required sustained logistical support across extensive areas.

Farhan Sufyan said additional transport assets would help enhance the department’s operational efficiency in the event of major flooding in Kelantan.

Last Sunday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued an alert-level continuous rain warning for several areas in Kelantan, Pahang and Sabah, as well as the whole of Terengganu, valid until Wednesday.

MetMalaysia said the warning covered Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Machang, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai and Jeli in Kelantan.

Following the continuous rain warning, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage warned of possible flooding in nine districts in Kelantan from today until Wednesday. — Bernama