HOI AN: Sekurang-kurangnya 10 orang maut akibat banjir yang melanda Vietnam minggu ini.

Paras air di sungai utama berhampiran kawasan pelancongan terkenal dilapor meningkat ke tahap tertinggi dalam tempoh 60 tahun.

Wilayah pantai Vietnam, yang menempatkan tapak warisan dunia UNESCO iaitu bandar purba Hoi An, dilanda hujan lebat sejak hujung minggu, dengan rekod tinggi sehingga 1.7 meter dalam tempoh 24 jam.

Menurut Kementerian Alam Sekitar, sekurang-kurangnya 10 maut, manakala lapan yang lain masih hilang.

Jalan raya turut mengalami kerosakan dan tanah runtuh, dengan lebih 5,000 hektar tanaman musnah dan lebih 16,000 lembu mati.

Lebih 128,000 kediaman di lima wilayah tengah turut ditenggelami air dengan sesetengah kawasan merekodkan paras air setinggi tiga meter.

Sementara itu, biro cuaca Vietnam memaklumkan, paras air di stesen pengukur sungai Thu Bon melepasi paras tertinggi dalam sejarah pada 1964, iaitu peningkatan empat sentimeter kepada 5.62 meter, semalam.

Biro cuaca meramalkan paras air mula surut secara perlahan di bandar Danang dan Hue tetapi akan kekal pada paras 'membimbangkan' hari ini.

Bencana alam, kebanyakannya ribut, banjir dan tanah runtuh, menyebabkan 187 orang maut atau hilang di Vietnam dalam tempoh Januari hingga September tahun ini.

Jumlah kerugian ekonomi dianggarkan lebih daripada AS$610 juta (RM2.5 bilion) menurut angka kerajaan.

PUCHONG: As Malaysia braces for the northeast monsoon, 29 specialised rapid response teams are on standby nationwide to strengthen flood rescues, says Fire and Rescue Department director general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad.

He said these teams will focus solely on floods to minimise disruption to daily station operations.

He spoke after the National Disaster Management Agency briefing on preparations for the northeast monsoon on Thursday (October 30).

Nor Hisham said two rapid response teams from different districts were deployed during the recent floods in Kamunting, Perak.

“Although the teams are not regularly deployed interstate, it will still be done if there is a need,” he said.

He added that each team comprises about 18 personnel, adding that several operating bases are established nationwide to store flood rescue assets.

“Only the assets are stored at the bases,” he said. “If there is a forecast, the team can obtain the assets directly,” he added.

The northeast monsoon is expected to begin in November and last until March next year. The Malaysian Meteorological Department expects five to seven episodes of heavy continuous downpour.

A weak La Niña is also forecast during this period.

PUCHONG, Oct 30 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has enhanced its disaster preparedness efforts to ensure a prompt and coordinated response to potential floods and other emergencies across the nation ahead of the Northeast Monsoon season.

According to a recent presentation, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Pahruradzi Abdul Rahman said PDRM’s response plan emphasises rapid deployment, inter-agency coordination, and clear communication during the monsoon season, when heavy rain and flash floods are most likely to strike.

Speaking at the SMART headquarters (Markas SMART) in Puchong today, SAC Pahruradzi explained that the police will mobilise personnel immediately upon receiving reports of any incident, focusing on public safety, traffic control, and initial rescue assistance.

“Once on the ground, police units will set up the Pos Kawalan Tempat Kejadian (PKTK), or Incident Control Post, which acts as the main coordination hub for all responding agencies,” he said.

If a situation worsens, operations will escalate to state or federal command under Malaysia’s Arahan MKN No. 20 (National Security Council Directive No. 20), ensuring that resources and decision-making authority are scaled according to the severity of the disaster.

To improve operational efficiency, Pahruradzi said PDRM is also working to increase and standardise its disaster response assets.

“Currently, there are 31 PKTK tents distributed across the country, but some districts remain underserved.

“The police force is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and private sponsors to expand coverage and ensure each district can establish a functional command post quickly during emergencies,” he added.

In an effort to maintain public confidence, PDRM has also committed to issuing verified press statements within two hours of any major incident.

The measure aims to counter false information and avoid unnecessary panic among the public.

“Our cooperation with the media has been strong, and timely information helps calm the situation and prevent speculation.”

The police will continue conducting joint training and simulation exercises with the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the Civil Defence Force (APM), and other agencies to ensure all officers understand their roles within Malaysia’s disaster management framework.

Rapid response teams stand by nationwide for monsoon floods