November 25, 2009 16:54 PM

ATM Will Use Helicopters For Flood Evacuation If Necessary

KOTA BAHARU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- The armed forces (ATM) is prepared to provide the use of its helicopters for evacuation operations if the flood situation worsens and road links become inaccessible.

Commander of the Eighth Brigade Infantry, Brigadier General Abdul Rahim Abdul Mutalib said the helicopters would be used only when the victims to be evacuated could not be reached by land transportation or rescue boats.

Currently, about 300 soldiers had been mobilised to help flood victims in Kelantan and Terengganu, he told reporters after the presentation of school aid to children of armed forces personnel here on Wednesday.

The aid was presented by the chairman of the army's Armed Forces Family Welfare Association (BAKAT) Puan Seri Maggie Rosmaliza Abdullah.

Abdul Rahim said army trucks were being used to transport students sitting for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations in areas affected by floods to their examination centres.

-- BERNAMA

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