DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reminded government agencies and residents in the southern region to be alert and adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) during the fourth wave of the Northeast Monsoon, which is moving south.

Zahid said state agencies must be ready to deal with disasters including floods.

“The fourth wave of the Northeast Monsoon has shifted south and I hope immediate actions in accordance with the SOP stipulated by Nadma (National Disaster Management Agency), the Civil Defence Force and other agencies can followed by … agencies involved,” he told reporters after visiting the Orang Asli settlement in Sungai Ruil, Cameron Highlands, today after a landslide.

Earlier, Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Committee chairman, visited the relief centre at the Sungai Ruil Orang Asli Kampung hall, which was housing 88 victims.

Zahid said there were more victims in Johor but with the cooperation of the agencies involved, flood management was improving.

Nadma said 1,197 flood victims in Johor were sheltering at 12 relief centres as at 6am, a slight rise from 1,153 last night.

A total of 793 victims were placed in eight centres in Kota Tinggi, 277 in two centres in Mersing, with one centre each in Johor Baru (43 victims) and Kluang (84 victims). – Bernama, January 6, 2024.