The construction of a permanent relief centre at Sri Medan in Batu Pahat, Johor, is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Johor climate change and disaster management committee member Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan said the centre would be built next to SK Sri Medan.
Construction of the building started last month.
“For now, we will need to rely on temporary relief centres until the permanent building is completed.
Zulkurnain says the permanent relief centre will offer improved facilities and comfort for flood-affected residents.
“This is one of nine permanent relief centres announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last year,” he said when contacted.
Zulkurnain said the permanent relief centre would have improved facilities and be more comfortable for flood-affected residents in Batu Pahat.
On the state’s flood preparations, Zulkurnain said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has chaired a state disaster management committee meeting to ensure everything was in place.
“We deal with this every year, so there aren’t many changes.
“The meeting included an update on the readiness of facilities at relief centres and to look at ways to improve the evacuation process.
“We always prepare early because we don’t want to be caught off-guard,” said Zulkurnain.
He said the Education Ministry has ensured all schools designated as temporary relief centres were clean, while the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) ensured the drainage systems were cleared.
Zulkurnain hoped the flood mitigation project at Sungai Simpang Kiri and Sungai Simpang Kanan in Batu Pahat would proceed smoothly.
The project, spanning 50km, involves constructing riverbanks, flood barriers, tidal control gates, upgrading or adding pumping stations and deepening rivers.
It will start along Sungai Batu Pahat, stretching 10km from the riverbank at Pantai Minyak Beku to Simpang Parit Kasim, then continue along a 22km stretch between Sungai Simpang Kiri and Sri Medan, followed by an 18km section between Sri Medan and Sungai Simpang Kanan.
Zulkurnain added that he had proposed to the Federal Government to reduce the review period for flood mitigation projects from every 15 years to every five years.
“I raised this during the Central Disaster Management Committee meeting on Oct 3 in Kota Tinggi,” he said.
“We need to consider issues such as climate change, population growth and ongoing development in the state.”
Johor DID director Azren Khalil said the department has deployed 37 mobile pumps across the state in preparation for the monsoon season.
“We’ve also cleared trenches and drainage systems in Batu Pahat, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Segamat and Muar.
“The focus is on low-lying areas like Batu Pahat, where floodwaters tend to stagnate,” he added.
