Floods: 16 more people evacuated to relief centres in Segamat, total now at 1,827

JOHOR BARU: A total of 16 people from Kampung Bukit Raja Darat, Pengerang, Kota Tinggi have been evacuated to the SK Telok Ramunia temporary relief centre after their houses were inundated by floods.

State Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said that as of noon Sunday (Jan 2), Kota Tinggi was the third district affected by floods due to the continuous rain that started on Friday (Dec 31) night.

He added that, currently, the total number of flood victims stood at 1,827 people from 466 families, with 32 relief centres opened in Segamat, Tangkak, and Kota Tinggi.

"The numbers of evacuees have shown a significant increasing trend following the continuous downpour in the state.

"The majority of the victims are from Segamat, with 1,771 people from 452 families, who are currently placed at 30 relief centres across the district.

"The relief centre in SK Kampung Tenang recorded the highest number of evacuees, with 267 people from Kampung Tenang," he said in a statement here.

Vidyananthan also quoted the Malaysian Meteorological Department's (MetMalaysia) warning on continuous heavy rain that was expected to occur in Tangkak, Muar, Batu Pahat, Pontian, and Johor Baru.

"Heavy rains were also expected in Segamat, Kluang, Mersing, Kulai, and Kota Tinggi," he added.

He also shared that there were now six rivers that had recorded dangerous levels, namely Sungai Kesang and Sungai Tangkak in Tangkak; Sungai Segamat, Sungai Lenik, Sungai Muar (Buloh Kasap) in Segamat, and Sungai Muar (Kampung Olak Sepam).

Sungai Kesang had risen to 3.30m above the dangerous level of 3.00m, Sungai Tangkak was now at 4.29m from 4.00m, Sungai Segamat was at 9.28m from 9.14m, Sungai Lenik was at 5.95m from 5.50m, Sungai Muar (Buloh Kasap) at 8.90m from 8.53m, and Sungai Muar (Kampung Olak Sepam) at 2.03m from 2.00m.

Jalan Kampung Orang Asli Peta and Jalan Kampung Orang Asli Punan in Mersing have remained closed to all vehicles, including Jalan Bangas and Jalan Puting in Segamat.