Northeast Monsoon: SMART Enhances Preparedness For ‘Disasters Within Disasters’

By Samantha Tan Chiew Tieng

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART)  is stepping up its preparedness for the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) this year, with a focus not only on floods but also on compound disasters such as landslides and building collapses triggered by strong currents and rising water levels.

SMART Commander Senior Fire Superintendent I Abdul Manaf Che Isa said the team was also strengthening its capacity to rescue victims trapped in collapsed structures during floods, an operation requiring specialised expertise in stabilising buildings and extricating victims from debris.

He said preparing for such ‘disasters within disasters’ was crucial as flooding could trigger other incidents that were more complex and dangerous.

“If flooding occurs alongside structural collapses, such as landslides and building collapses caused by strong water currents and high water levels, SMART is also prepared to deal with these situations.

“We undergo specialised training in structural stabilisation and extricating victims from collapsed structures before bringing them to safety, even in flood conditions,” he told Bernama.

The 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon is expected to begin in late October and continue until mid-March 2027.

Abdul Manaf said 136 SMART personnel had undergone five days of boat-handling and water rescue training in shifts at Pantai Bagan Lalang to strengthen their preparedness.

He said the training, conducted during both day and night, was designed to test their ability to operate in various conditions, including strong currents, bad weather and rescue operations in darkness.

In addition to boat-handling techniques and the use of rescue equipment, personnel were trained to deal with emergencies such as engine failures, equipment malfunctions and unforeseen situations while transporting flood victims.

“We do not want incidents such as boats capsizing or breaking down to occur while transporting victims. Therefore, personnel are also taught basic technical and engineering skills so they can take immediate action before recovery assistance arrives,” he said.

He said the training also involved zone coordinating officers from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), who might need to use boats to access areas cut off by floods, including to assess temporary evacuation centres. 

On SMART’s deployment during the monsoon season, Abdul Manaf said the team would serve as a supporting force for frontline rescue agencies and be mobilised to designated forward operating bases according to operational needs.

He said personnel deployment locations would be determined through coordination at the zonal level, taking into account high-risk areas and operational requirements in the affected states.

Apart from surface-water rescue operations, SMART would continue its scuba diving training to ensure its underwater rescue capabilities and related assets remained at optimal readiness, he added.

Approved by the Cabinet in 1994 and officially active in 1995, SMART currently operates under NADMA and comprises elite personnel drawn from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM). 

-- BERNAMA