PUTRAJAYA: The northeast monsoon has wreaked havoc on 4,893.73ha of agricultural land, causing damages estimated to cost RM22.8 million and affecting 2,269 farmers nationwide.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Kelantan was among the agricultural areas severely affected.
On Dec 8, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that the recent floods did not impact the country's food supply.
He said that the flood losses this year might be lesser as compared to last year, considering the flood situation in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, which did not occur on a large scale.
Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management Agency's (Nadma) Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, had requested for expedited acquisition of additional hydraulic pumps to address the flood issues, especially on the East Coast.
"The request dates back to March last year, and despite receiving reports on the pumps, they have not been delivered due to procurement procedures.
"I have requested that, given the current critical situation, measures be taken to expedite the process," he said at a press conference today.
In other developments, Zahid said the government, through Nadma, was prepared to face the flood phenomenon expected in Sabah and Sarawak from February to March.
"Our preparedness is consistently maintained, with coordination occurring not only at the national level but also at the state and district levels.
"Recent coordination efforts by Nadma, Civil Defence Force (APM), district agencies, and state agencies have been prompt," he emphasised.
Previously, the flood situation in three states – Pahang, Kelantan and Johor – showed significant improvement, resulting in the number of flood victims dropping drastically, as only 85 flood victims remained at four temporary flood relief centres (PPS) compared with 114 at five PPS in the afternoon.