ISKANDAR PUTERI – The federal government has sanctioned RM19 million for Johor to enhance its flood forecasting and warning systems, said state Tourism, Environment, Heritage, And Culture Committee chairman K. Raven Kumar.
These, he said, are among the proactive measures taken by both the federal and state governments to brace for changes in weather patterns and climate phenomena that can result in disasters, including floods.
The Tenggaroh assemblyman said that upgrading works for the forecasting and warning systems, which include upgrades to the 140 hydrological stations in 100 locations, will be completed in early 2024.
In a related matter, the state executive councillor also told the Johor assembly that the Johor Drainage and Irrigation Department is preparing an environmentally friendly drainage master plan covering the Tebrau and Plentong areas in the state capital and also Pengerang in Kota Tinggi.
According to Raven, these master plans will serve as main reference points for the local authorities regarding any upgrading works at the internal drainage systems.
“For the agricultural areas west of Johor in the districts of Pontian, Batu Pahat, and Muar, the state government has also prepared a final report which takes elements of climate change into account, in terms of preparing flood mitigation proposals, including for flash floods,” said the exco.
Raven said that the department has also provided rainfall and river table data to all relevant agencies in anticipation of floods.
“The department is always on standby to give warnings to all district-level disaster management committees in the event of heavy rain and high tide that may heighten the risk of flooding.” – The Vibes, December 8, 2022
