Having experienced major floods in 2006 and 2007, Johor, have started preparations early to face another possible flood, by setting up 600 flood relief centres throughout the state.
State Security Council (NOC) assistant secretary Azura Mohd Kifli said the decision to set up sub-committees was decided in a meeting chaired by Johor state secretary Datuk Abdul Latiff Yusof, two days ago.
“All district offices have been directed to identify their respective committees that will be headed by a headmaster or community leader in the area.
“It will ease the process of coordination of security, registration of flood victims, food supply, medical and other needs,” Azura told Bernama.
Azura said the 600 relief centres throughout the state can accommodate 166,047 flood victims while Batu Pahat, Segamat, Johor Baharu and Kota Tinggi have been placed under high risk flood prone areas.
In 2006 and 2007, Johor suffered one the worst floods in the state’s history as more than 100,000 were evacuated to relief centres.
Early this month, Perlis and Kedah suffered from major floods.
Azura added that 2,283 police personnel would also be on standby with 60 boats, helicopters and 288 utility vehicles.
She added that all government and private agencies like police, armed forces, fire and rescue department, public defence department, welfare department, red crescent and other related departments would also be on alert.
“We do not expect the floods this year to be as bad as 2006 because a lot of flood mitigation projects had been carried out but we are not taking any chances,” said Azura.
– Bernama
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