KOTA BELUD: Efforts are being coordinated at national, state and district levels to assist victims who have been displaced by floods nationwide, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the floods particularly in Johor were worsening presently.
“The situation in Johor now is quite bad, floods have hit six districts so far, affecting 1,868 families comprising 6,800 victims, with 48 temporary relief centres currently active,” he said after an event here on Monday (Jan 8).
He added that Pahang has 23 active flood shelters housing 896 people from 236 families in three districts.
The floods have also started to hit Sarawak, he said, with 38 victims from 12 families currently being placed at one flood relief centre.
Ahmad Zahid said the government has taken several actions including coordinating with the heads of the respective state disaster management committees.
“The respective Disaster Operation Control Centres (PKOB) have also been mobilised.
“We have conducted coordination meetings at national, state and district levels together with the relevant departments and agencies under the federal and state governments.
“We have also mobilised the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Welfare Department (JKM).
“And this time we have involved non-governmental organisations (NGOs) besides other agencies like the army, police, Fire and Rescue Department, among others, for relief efforts,” Ahmad Zahid said.
The end of 2023 has seen the monsoon triggering heavy rain in many parts of the country.
People in many areas in the east coast of the peninsula had to be evacuated when their homes were flooded.
The flood situation in Johor was so dire that the government announced the postponement of the second term examinations for Level 1 and Level 2 government religious schools that were affected by floods.
As of 9am on Monday, there were still six rivers that have reached dangerous levels; Sungai Kahang in Kluang, Sungai Siam in Kulai, Sungai Linggiu, Sungai Johor (near Kota Tinggi town), Sungai Kepala Orang, and Sungai Johor (Rantau Panjang).
