Non-stop rain forces 300 to evacuate villages in Johor

MERSING: Continuous rainfall in several villages here since yesterday has forced more than 300 villagers out of their homes and raised concerns that the evacuation exercise will take longer than expected.

The affected villagers are from Kampung Che Wook (250 victims), Kampung Tenglu (49) and Kampung Air Tawar (six).

They are currently seeking shelter at relief centres set up at three schools – SK Sri Pantai, SK Tenglu and SK Air Tawar.

Heavy rain started to fall at 9am and caused water levels to rise quickly with many villagers moving out to relief centres on their own.

Mersing OCPD Deputy Supt Mohamed Shahar Abdul Aziz said all the flood victims were in good shape at the relief centres.

“The authorities have taken several precautionary measures in anticipation of the floods,” he said.

A Johor Fire and Rescue Depart­ment spokesman said the Mersing and Endau fire stations were on standby if conditions got worse.

“The department has instructed both stations to be on alert,” he said.

He added that assets from other districts may be deployed if the situation did not improve.