SEVERAL areas in Johor and Sabah have been told to be prepared for possible floods and high tides from the ongoing northeast monsoon.

Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said with current rainy conditions, the Muar and Tangkak districts in Johor are among locations expected to be hit by floods.

In Sabah, he said Pitas and Kota Marudu are likely to be hit by high tides and flooding.

“The first and second waves of the northeast monsoon occurred in December. Although there are no official reports from the Meteorological Department, heavy rain that began on January 24 and is forecast to continue until January 30 can be categorised as the third wave.

“As such, all agencies are to identify villages whose residents may need to be evacuated to temporary relief centres,” he told reporters after a visit to the Kampung Tasek Community Hall relief centre in Segamat today.

The focus is now on coordinating all disaster management agencies and dissemination of information to victims, especially those in relief centres, he said.

“Next would be to ensure the welfare and health of flood victims through the involvement of the Social Welfare Department and state Health Departments,” Armizan said.

As at 2pm, the number of flood victims in Johor alone continued to grow to 4,207 people involving 1,164 families, currently placed at 45 temporary relief centres in the districts of Segamat, Muar, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat and Mersing.

Armizan said the northeast monsoon, which began in November, has affected 121,594 victims from 34,357 families, who were housed in 444 relief centres due to floods and high tides. 

“I would like to remind people to be vigilant of warnings issued by MetMalaysia and not to delay the evacuation process if you are told to move to relief centres. This is to prevent untoward incidents.

“At the same time, the National Disaster Management Agency has also been instructed to ensure state and district-level Disaster Operations Control Centres are also prepared for eventualities.

“The National Disaster Command Centre, meanwhile, will operate around the clock to monitor and coordinate agencies involved in disaster management,” he said.

Armizan said all matters involving Bantuan Wang Ihsan aid and other forms of assistance for flood victims will be managed by district officers in their capacity as district Disaster Management Committee heads. – Bernama, January 25, 2023.