Floods: Situation improves slightly in Johor, more than 4,000 still in relief shelters

JOHOR BARU: A total of 193 victims from 44 families have been allowed to return home after the flood situation improved in their areas.

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan (pic) said that, as of 8pm Friday (Jan 7), seven temporary relief shelters (PPS) have been closed in two districts, namely Segamat and Tangkak.

"The conditions have been deemed safe and families have been allowed to return to their homes.

"The areas involved are Kampung Tengah, Kampung Pudu and Kampung Lubok Batu in Segamat as well as Kampung Parit Kulai, Kampung Seberang Gajah, Kampung Simpang Lima Darat, and Kampung Parit Bunga Raya Hujung in Tangkak.

"The total number of victims now stands at 4,233 people from 1,191 families and is showing a gradual decrease. The affected districts are Segamat, Tangkak Muar and Batu Pahat, with 56 PPS still open," he said in a statement here.

Vidyananthan also said there were four areas that had recorded dangerous river level readings, namely Buloh Kasap in Segamat, Kampung Olak Sepam, Liang Batu, and Panchor in Muar.

"There are three roads in Segamat that are still closed, namely Jalan Puting, Jalan Pogoh, and Jalan Balai Polis Buluh Kasap.

"Jalan Felda Bukit Aping in Kota Tinggi, Jalan Muar-Labis (Jambatan Sungai Tui), Jalan Muar-Labis (Masjid Kampung Jawa) and Jalan Durian Chondong in Muar are also closed," he said.

He added that there are three roads in Tangkak that have been closed, namely Jalan Durian Chondong (Bukit Kepong), Jalan Parit Cina, and Jalan Penchu.