IPOH - All district offices in the state have been instructed to identify suitable sites for the relocation of flood victims, especially those staying in flood-prone areas.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the sites for the relocation of the flood victims needed to take into account the suitability of the areas concerned, including in terms of safety and socio-economy.
"Residents normally affected by floods are those staying near rivers whose jobs and income depend on the river, so if we move them away from the river, they will lose their source of income. So when you want to relocate them, we have to into account the location we are moving them to” he added.
He said this at a press conference after appearing as a guest on PerakFM radio station’s "Selamat Pagi Cikgu Saarani” programme here today.
According to the menteri besar, an allocation had been set aside to develop 28 housing units in Kampung Air Hitam, Changkat Jong, Teluk Intan, for flood victims from Lorong Mesra, but the project was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Perak Housing and Property Board (LPHP) had to re-tender and continue with the existing allocation of RM3.94 million, but the construction cost has increased and so we have to apply for additional allocation," he said.
On the flood situation in the state, more people have been evacuated with two more relief centres (PPS) opened in Mualim and Manjung districts last night.
The Secretariat of the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) in a statement said with the opening of the two PPSs, the total number of flood victims in the state increased to 175 people from 43 families as of late yesterday. - BERNAMA