IPOH: The Perak government is prepared to face prolonged heavy rain and tackle its impact at several disaster-prone areas in the state, says Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad.

       He said the district disaster committees and related agencies have been activated and informed of current developments in the state as well as in neighbouring Kedah, to cope with any eventuality.

       “As usual, the district disaster committee chairman, who is the district officer, has been instructed to be on standby as the rainy season approaches and meetings and preparations are underway,” he said in a virtual press conference after handing over 5A notices involving 26 structured village development projects (RPT) and 12 agricultural cluster development projects (RPB) throughout Perak.

       Saarani added that Covid-19 screening would be conducted and flood victims found positive will be segregated and sent to the Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centres to prevent the spread of infection.

       In Taiping, a total of 102 residents from 29 families from five villages were evacuated to two temporary evacuation centres due to continuous rain that caused their homes to be flooded since Wednesday night.

       A spokesman for the Perak Fire and Rescue Department said 87 victims from Kampung Sg Rentaka, Matang, Kampung Changkat Baru and Kampung Jebong Kiri were placed at the Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat Ngah Ibrahim Al Baraqah centre.

       Another 15 victims from Kampung Sungai Nyior and Kampung Sungai Tinggi were placed at the Sg Baru community hall.

       The Malaysian Meteorological Department issued a heavy rain warning in several areas in Perak including Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, and Kampar. — Bernama

       Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak, Batang Padang and Muallim. — Bernama