Floods: High tide forces evacuation of 153 people in Johor

JOHOR BARU: A sudden high tide in Sungai Muar near Bukit Kepong has caused floods in Kampung Sungai Meda and Kampung Liang Batu, forcing 153 people to be evacuated to temporary relief shelters.

State Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said that as of 8am on Friday (Jan 7), the number of flood victims stands at 4,496 people from 1,242 families.

“The flood victims from the two villages have been placed at SK Bukit Kepong and SMK Sultan Alaudin, he said, adding there were 153 people from 51 families.

In a statement on Friday (Jan 7) he said the highest number of victims were from Kg Simpang Loi with 423 people, followed by Kampung Paya Lang in Segamat (292).

Vidyananthan said five locations recorded dangerous river levels, namely Buloh Kasap and Muara Sungai Gemas in Segamat, Kampung Olak Sepam, Panchor, and Bukit Kepong in Muar.

“There are also eight roads in Segamat that are closed to all vehicles, one in Kota Tinggi, three in Muar and one in Tangkak,” he said.

The closed roads in Segamat are Jalan Kuala Paya Balai Badang, Jalan Puting, Jalan Tumang, Jalan Serakek, Jalan Pogoh, Jalan Balai Polis Buluh Kasap, Jalan Senai-Gemas, and Jalan Felda Medoi.

The closed roads in Muar are Jalan Muar-Labis (Jambatan Sungai Tui), Jalan Muar-Labis (Masjid Kampung Jawa) and Jalan Durian Chondong (Jambatan Sungai Muar), followed by Jalan Durian Chondong (Bukit Kepong) in Tangkak and Jalan Felda Aping Bukit Tinggi, Kota Tinggi.