KOTA TINGGI: The Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution urged residents at low-lying and flood-prone areas to be more responsive and monitor the Meteorological Department forecasts, to ensure constant preparedness.
He said while the department's forecast are predictions, it is the most reliable source as its main duties are to issue weather forecasts and severe weather warnings.
"The information received is crucial to enable early preparation, particularly in areas where major floods are expected.
"There are 65 flood hotspots in Kota Tinggi, and the residents in these areas need to be on high alert,"he said, after visiting flood victims at the temporary relief centre at Dewan Serbaguna Kota Kecil Kota Kecil, near here, today.
The district was hit by floods since Jan 4, following continuous heavy downpour.
It remains as one of the badly hit districts with over 4,000 victims.
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Its geographical location and topography make it the last district to recover from the floods, while its flat terrain cause waters to recede slower.
Kota Tinggi's Sungai Johor is located downstream, which allows excess water due to heavy rain from upstream areas to flow downstream towards the district and overflow its banks.
Prior to his visit to the Kota Kecil multipurpose hall, Saifuddin visited the Johor police contingent headquarters.
He inspected the Mekar mobile bus at the contingent. The bus is equipped with facilities to print out Mykads, in its commitment to elevate its delivery services to the public.
Also present were the Deputy Inspector-General of police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat, and Kota Tinggi district police chief Superintendent Hussin Zamora.
Saifuddin also commended the district police for their regular crime prevention patrols in flood-hit areas in Kota Tinggi, which resulted in no break-in reports.
He also said that all assets in the 13 police stations under the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters jurisdiction, consisting of 4x4 trucks and boats were well utilised and coordinated in evacuation and rescue operations.