The Johor government anticipates that 90 per cent of the 102 identified flood hotspots across 16 local authority areas in the state will be addressed by next year.

State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, said efforts to tackle the flooding issues in these areas have been ongoing since last year, involving three phases with a total allocation exceeding RM170 million.

‘This allocation is to resolve flood problems in hotspot areas over a three-year period, starting from last year, this year and continuing into next year’Last year, about RM50 million was utilised for flood mitigation projects covering 119 hotspots, while this year, another RM50 million has been allocated for 65 locations.

‘The remaining RM70 million will be used for the final phase next year,’ he said when met by reporters at the launch of the 2024 UDA Carnival at Padang Akasia, Angsana Johor Bahru Mall today.

Mohd Jafni said the districts most affected by flooding include Johor Bahru, Kluang and Ku
lai.

He said the state government is prioritising solutions to the flood issues, which are coordinated through the State Disaster Management Committee meetings.

According to him, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who recently chaired one of these meetings, called on various agencies and members of the State Executive Council to enhance flood preparedness.

‘During this meeting, several matters were discussed, including the preparation of tents for flood victims and food supplies.

‘I see that Johor is consistently improving its preparedness, especially since the Northeast Monsoon season has begun and several districts have already been affected by flooding,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency