KUALA LUMPUR: There have been 54 fatalities due to the floods that hit the nation since Dec 18, says Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

       He said two people were also reported missing.

       "Selangor recorded 25 deaths followed by Pahang (21), Kelantan (four), Sabah (three) and Negri Sembilan (one).

       “The two missing persons were reported in Pahang," he told reporters on Wednesday (Jan 5).

       Comm Hazani said the police had also notified the government the need to equip every district police headquarters in the country with boats.

       "We will suggest to the government that five boats be placed at each of the 157 district police headquarters in the country.

       “These boats will act as a quick response when floods occur in their areas," he said.

       On the current situation, Comm Hazani said 13,322 people from 3,989 families in seven states had been affected.

       "As of 12pm on Wednesday, a total of 172 evacuation centres are active in the seven states,” he said, adding that since Nov 10, 2021 a total of 505,069 people had been affected by the floods.

       "We will continue to coordinate rescue and aid efforts with the other agencies involved," he said.

       Comm Hazani also said 6,042 policemen had been deployed for flood operations which included personnel from the Internal Security and Public Order Department elements such as the Air Wing Unit, General Operations Forces, Marine Police and Federal Reserve Unit.

       Meanwhile on the situation in Segamat, he said four villages had been completely cut off due to rising waters.

       "Kampung Lubuk Lanjut, Kampung Spang Loi, Kampung Mensudot Pindah and Kampung Batu 10 have become an island due to the floods.

       "We have placed a police Eurocopter AS355 Squirrel to help deliver basic amenities to the villagers stranded in these four villages," he added.