JOHOR BARU – The Johor government has begun installing water pumps throughout areas in Batu Pahat district affected by stagnant floodwaters.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state Drainage and Irrigation Department has also been told to seek additional water pumps from other states.
He said a flood coordination meeting that will include discussions on welfare assistance for victims and logistics for the district will be held soon.
“Quite a number of areas were hit by stagnant floodwaters in Batu Pahat and besides outflow difficulties, we were informed there will be high tides in a day or two,” he told reporters after launching the Johor MATTA Fair here today.
Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz said he has written to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the early figures for losses due to the floods and for flood mitigation projects in the state, estimated to reach a billion ringgit.
“Damage includes to roads, crops, and pavements; early figures have been submitted to the prime minister including for flood mitigation projects. So we pray that it will be considered,” he said.
The Parit Jambul and Separap watergates are among those in the district where pumps have been installed.
As of 4pm today, the Johor Disaster Management Committee said the number of flood victims in the state stood at 44,089, with Batu Pahat recording the highest number at 37,563 people. – Bernama, March 10, 2023
