KULIM: Operasi memadam kebakaran membabitkan empat kilang di Jalan Makmur 7, Lunas, yang memasuki tempoh lebih 24 jam hari ini masih diteruskan bagi memastikan keseluruhan sisa api dipadam sepenuhnya.

Kebakaran yang berlaku kira-kira jam 6.53 pagi semalam itu membabitkan dua kilang pakaian, sebuah kilang lilin dan sebuah kilang kotak.

Pada peringkat awal, kebakaran hanya membabitkan tiga kilang sebelum api merebak ke kilang keempat.

Pengarah Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) Kedah, Penolong Kanan Pesuruhjaya Bomba Awang Hidzel Awang Bujang, berkata angin kuat serta bahan mudah terbakar seperti tekstil, kotak dan lilin menjadi antara cabaran utama dalam usaha mengawal kebakaran.

Bagaimanapun, beliau berkata tindakan pantas pasukan bomba berjaya mengawal kebakaran daripada merebak ke kawasan lain.

"Operasi masih berjalan sehingga kini dan kerja-kerja overhaul dilakukan bagi memastikan sisa api dipadam sepenuhnya.

"Operasi pemadaman membabitkan Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat (BBP) Kulim, BBP Kulim Hi Tech, BBP Sungai Petani dengan bantuan BBP Penanti, Pulau Pinang serta 19 Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS)," katanya.

Beliau berkata, operasi itu turut mendapat kerjasama Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) dan Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS).

Awang Hidzel berkata, siasatan awal mendapati kebakaran dipercayai bermula dari kilang lilin sebelum merebak ke kilang berhampiran.

Katanya, tiada mangsa dilaporkan terbabit dalam kejadian itu.

"Kilang lilin dan kilang kotak dianggarkan musnah 90 peratus, manakala dua kilang pakaian mengalami kemusnahan kira-kira 60 peratus.

"Operasi masih diteruskan dengan bantuan jentera berat bagi proses pemadaman dan setakat ini anggaran kerugian masih belum dapat dipastikan," katanya.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued thunderstorm warnings for several states, forecasting intense rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms across the northern, east coast, and central regions of the peninsula.

The warnings, issued at 8:30am, are valid until noon today.

The northern region is expected to be heavily impacted, with warnings in place for Perlis and Penang, as well as several districts in Kedah, including Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu. In Perak, the warnings cover Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, and Hulu Perak.

In Kelantan, the warning extends to Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Bachok, Machang, Pasir Puteh, and Kuala Krai. Terengganu is similarly affected, with expected thunderstorms in Besut, Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Hulu Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, and Marang.

In the central region, Selangor is bracing for heavy rain in Klang, Kuala Langat, and Sepang.

Meanwhile, in East Malaysia, a warning has been issued for Serian in Sarawak.

MetMalaysia defines a thunderstorm warning as a short-term alert, valid for no more than six hours, issued when there are clear indications that rainfall intensity will exceed 20 mm per hour for more than one hour.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions against potential flash floods and the dangers associated with strong winds.

SHAH ALAM – Kira-kira 350 kilometer (km) kawasan pantai di Selangor dikenal pasti mengalami hakisan akibat pelbagai faktor termasuk perubahan iklim.

Exco Infrastruktur dan Pertanian Selangor, Datuk Izham Hashim berkata, daripada jumlah tersebut, kerja pemasangan benteng penahan ombak atau ban telah dilaksanakan melibatkan kira-kira 250km.

“Ini bermakna hampir dua pertiga daripada kawasan pantai di Selangor kini dilindungi dengan ban.

“Bagaimanapun, hasil kajian mendapati kesan perubahan iklim menyebabkan struktur sedia ada perlu dinaik taraf dengan meningkatkan ketinggiannya antara satu hingga 1.5 meter. Kini kita sedang menunggu pelaksanaan projek tersebut,” katanya.

Terdahulu beliau merasmikan bengkel semakan semula Pelan Pengurusan Pantai Bersepadu Negeri Selangor di sini, hari ini.

Menurut Izham, peningkatan ketinggian semata-mata bukan penyelesaian utama kerana aspek kekuatan struktur turut perlu diberi perhatian bagi memastikan benteng mampu menahan impak ombak.

“Di beberapa lokasi, struktur sedia ada boleh pecah akibat hentaman ombak. Sebab itu kita menggunakan batu pelindung (armor rock) dan beralih kepada sistem perlindungan pantai yang lebih canggih.

“Kita perlu memahami dinamika ombak dan perubahan alur laut kerana kedua-dua faktor itu boleh menyebabkan kemusnahan pantai yang serius jika tidak ditangani dengan pendekatan yang sesuai,” katanya.

Mengulas lanjut, beliau berkata, Kerajaan Persekutuan menerusi Kementerian Peralihan Tenaga dan Transformasi Air (PETRA) telah menyerahkan lima projek pemuliharaan pantai yang telah siap merangkumi di Morib, Kuala Selangor dan Sabak Bernam.

“Di Kelanang (Kuala Langat), kita akan menggunakan teknologi baharu korea iaitu stone fiber match yang sangat efektif bagi kos dan pengurusan perlindungan pantai,” jelasnya.

Dalam pada itu, Izham berkata, kajian Pelan Induk Pengurusan Air Bersepadu dijangka siap selewat-lewatnya pada tahun depan.

“Ini merupakan kajian pertama dalam negara secara holistik berhubung air mentah, kumbahan dan terawat.

“Semua aspek ini saling berkait rapat termasuk isu pencemaran, gangguan bekalan air serta banjir, justeru ia tidak boleh dilihat secara berasingan,” katanya. – KOSMO! ONLINE

SHAH ALAM, July 23 — The Selangor state government is implementing the Immediate and Moderate Flood Mitigation Plan Project involving hotspot and high-risk areas under the administration of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), with an allocation of RM40.5 million to reduce the risk of flash floods.

State Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the allocation covers 39 scopes of work divided into immediate (quick win) and medium-term measures to address the flood issue in a more organised manner.

He said the project’s implementation was planned following the increasingly frequent flash floods occurring in urban areas due to rapid development, high-intensity rainfall, and the challenges of global climate change.

“The state government has approved an allocation of RM40.5 million covering 39 scopes of work under the immediate and medium-term action categories to address this issue in an organised manner.

“The immediate steps or quick wins involve projects that can be completed within a period of less than six months, while medium-term steps take up to a year for more sustainable improvements,” he said at a special press conference on flood management, which was also attended by the Petaling Jaya Mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon.

Izham said that out of the total allocation, 26 projects were categorised under immediate measures involving a cost of RM20.1 million, while 13 other projects were under medium-term measures involving an allocation of RM20.4 million.

He said that 12 areas have been identified as focus locations, with three areas given critical priority, namely Section 51A (Jalan 223), Kampung Cempaka, and the FAS Tunnel area near Jalan PJU 1A.

According to him, the implementation of the project covers the construction of the flood wall, the installation of a flap gate, the construction of a retention pond, and the use of new technology such as ecoblock from Germany.

He said each project requires thorough technical studies and design before construction work can begin to ensure issues such as underground utility routes and land ownership are resolved first.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Zahri said that MBPJ has also implemented several initiatives to reduce the burden on traders affected by the flash floods on April 20 and May 6.

He said the measures included the installation of alarm systems and drain water level detectors, facility improvements, as well as exemptions and reductions in rental rates for premises.

“Among the initiatives implemented by the MBPJ are the exemption of business premises rent and a 30 per cent reduction in rent rates, starting from July to December, for affected traders on Jalan 223.

“Meanwhile, strategic cooperation involving the JPS (Irrigation and Drainage Department), MBPJ, JKR (Public Works Department), and related technical agencies will continue to be streamlined to ensure that every allocation is utilised optimally for the safety of the people,” he added. — Bernama