PUTRAJAYA, Jan 2 — Floods have affected 4,893.73 hectares of agricultural land and 2,269 farmers, resulting in an estimated RM22,823,601 in losses, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Among the severely affected agricultural areas are those in Kelantan,” he said during the media conference after chairing a briefing on the latest flood situation today.
The Central Disaster Management Committee chairman said 51 health facilities were also affected, with 23 facilities in Kelantan, 17 in Pahang, and 11 in Terengganu.
Since the beginning of the northeast monsoon in early November last year, 62,467 victims and 19,204 homes were affected in several states.
Zahid said he hopes the district offices in the affected areas will distribute aid fairly to all flood victims.
Similarly, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is also on high alert to face the flood disaster expected in Sabah and Sarawak from February to March.
Zahid added that he wants the procurement process for hydraulic pumps to be expedited to tackle the stagnant floodwaters issue in several areas, especially on the East Coast.
“The request was made in March last year, and I received a report the pumps are still not delivered due to procurement procedures.
“Nadma has provided an allocation to the Irrigation and Drainage Department…during urgent situations, we must look for the best way to speed up the delivery,” he said.
— Bernama
