Floods: Number of victims rises in Johor, over 4,000 affected in Segamat

JOHOR BARU: The number of flood victims in Johor has increased with 5,923 people from 1,585 families affected on Tuesday (Jan 4) night, up from 5,558 people from 1,505 families earlier in the day.

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said the majority of flood victims were from the Segamat district with 4,311 people from 1,175 families taking shelter at 52 temporary relief centres.

“Mersing has 540 people from 139 families at seven relief centres, and Tangkak with 601 victims from 137 families at 13 relief centres,’’ he said in a statement.

Vidyananthan said Kota Tinggi has 131 people from 38 families at two relief centres; 116 victims from 35 families at one relief centre in Kluang, Muar has 118 people from 32 families at four relief centres, while Batu Pahat with 102 people from 28 families at two relief centres.

He said six centres in Segamat were closed on Tuesday, namely Dewan Serbaguna Pekan Air Panas, Balairaya Kampung Sekijang, Sekolah Agama Gemereh, Dewan Serbaguna Sungai Gatom, Balairaya Kampung Usaha Jaya and Sekolah Agama Taman Pelangi.

“Three centres – one each in Tangkak, Batu Pahat and Kota Tinggi – were also closed today,” added Vidyananthan.

He said the relief centres were Sekolah Agama Bukit Banjar, Tangkak; SK Semanggar in Kota Tinggi and SK Seri Sepakat Jaya, Batu Pahat.

Vidyananthan said four rivers were still at dangerous levels in Segamat, namely Sungai Muar in Kampung Awat at 21.25m; Sungai Muar in Buloh Kasap at 11.18m; Sungai Segamat in Segamat town at 9.28m and Sungai Lenik, Ladang Chaah at 6.28m.

“Sungai Muar in Kampung Olak Sepam, Muar at 2.37m and Sungai Kesang in Kampung Seri Maamor, Tangkak at 4.19m are also at dangerous levels,’’ he said.

Vidyananthan said 10 roads in Segamat remained closed – Jalan Kuala Paya Balai Badang, Jalan Putting, Jalan Jabi Kampung Bukit Tempurong, Jalan Tumang, Jalan Serakek, Jalan Tungku Tiga, Jalan Pogoh Kampung Limau Manis, Jalan Felda Medoi Surau Kampung Logah, Jalan Senai-Gemas (opposite Ajiya Glass factory) and Jalan Felda Medoi at the Jalan Maharani intersection.

“Jalan Tanah Abang stretch in Segamat is only accessible to heavy vehicles while only light vehicles are allowed to pass through Jalan Lingkaran Kahang Barat in Kluang as there is a landslide in the area,’’ he said.