SEPANG – Malaysia Airports has geared up readiness and safety at all its airports in facing the annual monsoon season by equipping its airports with flood mitigation measures.
Sultan Mahmud Airport, Kuala Terengganu has recently completed the installation of portable submersible water pump and generator to flow any excess water into the sea. This was done with the help of Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) Terengganu and it complements two existing pump houses already available at the airport.
Malaysia Airports group chief executive officer (CEO), Dato’ Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh said that this is part of the airport's extensive preparation for the monsoon season that is expected to last until March next year.
“TGG has never been affected by floods before. Even during some of the worst flood situations Malaysia has seen, the airport has remained operational. Nevertheless, we are taking extra precaution to ensure that the essential services of the airport is not compromised.”
“We have to be ready for all eventualities and flood mitigation is part of the Airport Emergency Response plan,” he added.
The annual northeast monsoon season in Malaysia happens between November and March and some of the most affected states are those that are situated on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia.
Apart from Sultan Mahmud Airport, airports at six other states that may be prone to flood have been identified and prepared with a customised Flood Emergency Response Plan (FERP) respectively. The airports are:
- Kota Bharu Airport
- Kuantan Airport
- Ipoh Airport
- Alor Setar Airport
- Penang International Airport
- Kota Kinabalu International Airport
The FERP will guide the airport’s immediate actions in preparing and responding to possible cases of flood.
Other measures also include ensuring that the airport drainage system is clear of all debris and blockage at all times so that any excess water can quickly flow out of the airport area.
Source: Malaysia Airports