KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) is monitoring 82 hydrological stations to collect real-time rainfall and water level data for the northeast monsoon season.

Its director Dr Siti Fairus Zakaria said the stations include 33 water level stations and 49 rainfall stations statewide, all accessible via the Public Infobanjir portal.

"In terms of district distribution, Gua Musang has 14 rainfall stations, followed by Jeli (seven), Kuala Krai (six), Pasir Puteh and Pasir Mas (five each), Tanah Merah (four), Kota Baru and Bachok (three each), and Machang and Tumpat (one each).

"For water level stations, there are seven in Kuala Krai, six in Gua Musang, four each in Tanah Merah and Jeli, three each in Pasir Mas, Kota Baru and Pasir Puteh, and one each in Machang, Tumpat and Bachok,” she said, Bernama reported.

She added that 42 flood warning sirens have been installed at hotspots to alert residents and facilitate early evacuation to temporary relief centres when necessary.

"The sirens are located at 12 locations in Gua Musang, eight in Kuala Krai, five each in Tumpat and Tanah Merah, four in Pasir Mas, three in Jeli, two each in Kota Baru and Machang, and one in Pasir Puteh,” she said.

Siti Fairus said the department also installed 10 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor rising river levels and has deployed 117 river gauges in flood-prone areas.

"We have also prepared 23 mobile pumps of various capacities, nine trucks, including five crane trucks, and 50 utility and four-wheel-drive vehicles to support flood operations in affected areas.

"Six emergency drainage projects for flood mitigation have been completed at a cost of over RM2mil,” she added.

The Meteorological Department has forecast the northeast monsoon season, which began on Nov 5, to last until March 2025, with five to seven episodes of heavy rainfall expected in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Sarawak and Sabah.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/24/hydrological-stations-collecting-data-during-monsoon-season