Flooding in five Johor districts, more than 1,210 people evacuated

JOHOR BARU: Some 1,210 people have been evacuated from their homes to 18 temporary relief centres due to floods that have hit five districts in the state.

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said that the most affected districts were Pontian with 349 victims followed by Batu Pahat (343), Muar (276), Kluang (207) and Tangkak (35).

“As of 8am, a total of 1,210 victims from 288 families have been placed at 18 centres for their safety. The centres have been set up from 10am Saturday (June 20) following the continuous heavy downpour that occurred in the five districts, ” he said in a statement on Sunday (June 21).

Four centres have been set up in Pontian, three in Batu Pahat, five in Muar, four in Kluang and two in Tangkak.

“The most number of victims are at Sekolah Agama 3 Serangkai in Batu Pahat with 221 people followed by SK Kampung Sawah in Pontian with 144 people and SK Batu 18 in Muar with 110 people, ” he added.

Meanwhile, Johor Women Development, Family and Community Committee chairman Zaiton Ismail said the state government has conducted swab tests of all flood victims in Muar to ensure that none of the victims was infected with the Covid-19 virus.

She added that the test was carried out by state Health Department personnel and said that the centres were also required to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) laid down by the Health Ministry.

“We have made sure that each tent is set up with a proper distance and as a safety measure, all of the victims will be housed at the centres for at least two days until the weather conditions are good.

“Water levels have receded in some areas but none of the victims are allowed to return home as we are still assessing the situation, ” she said when contacted.

Zaiton, who is also the Sungai Balang assemblyman, added that the state government has also handed daily necessities through the Welfare Department.