JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government has identified 874 flood hotspots statewide, said Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pix).
Therefore, he has ordered every asset, logistics and early warning system for the disaster to be checked to ensure that they are in good condition and are in a state of readiness when floods hit.
He said that through the preparation coordination meeting to face the Northeast Monsoon and river pollution in the state, there were several action plans discussed to deal with the monsoon season as well as detailed mitigation measures if floods start to hit Johor.
“The Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) can issue a warning three days before the continuous heavy rain in the affected districts.
“Therefore, every district officer has been directed to hold a disaster coordination meeting within 24 hours after receiving the warning,” he said in a Facebook post last night.
Onn Hafiz said the state government also proposed that the ‘gotong-royong’ programme be held to clean drainage and ditches in every district and village, especially in places where floods often occur because it can reduce the risk of the sudden rise in water level.
He said METMalaysia has issued a statement that Northeast Monsoon is expected to hit the country on Nov 11 and will last till March 2024.
Meanwhile, he said the meeting also discussed the issue of river pollution including Sungai Tebrau, Sungai Skudai, Sungai Kim Kim and Sungai Selangkah which need to be given immediate attention so that river pollution can be addressed properly.
“Several steps have been taken, but I call on all parties and the entire Johor population, to work together to look after the cleanliness of the river because cleanliness reflects the greatness and mentality of the nation.
“Hopefully all these efforts will bear fruit so that the entire Bangsa Johor can benefit from it,“ he added. – Bernama
