Floods: Number of victims in Johor rises to almost 4,000

JOHOR BARU: The number of flood victims in Johor has reached almost 4,000 as of noon Wednesday (Jan 25) due to the ongoing rain that hit six districts.

The state disaster management committee said Muar was the latest district to be affected, with two temporary relief centres opened.

“We are still gathering data from these new centres and will give an update soon.

“So far the highest number of victims was recorded at Segamat with 1,417 people, followed by Kluang (1,191), Mersing (640), Kota Tinggi (568) and Batu Pahat (151),” it said in a statement.

There are now 41 relief centres in operation, compared to 35 at 8am, it added.

The centre with the most evacuees is at SK Tenang Labis which is housing 477 people from Kampung Tenang in Segamat; followed by SMK Seri Perdana with 401 people from Kampung Palembang in Kluang.

“There are also 315 victims from Kampung Che Wook and Kampung Sri Pantai in Mersing who have been placed at Politeknik Mersing,” the committee added.

A landslide also occurred Tuesday (Jan 24) night on Jalan Sungai Tiram-Ulu Tebrau, causing a road closure from FT094 towards Felda Ulu Tebrau to the Seelong Sanitary Landfill.

“The road is closed to all types of vehicles, and those who wish to travel to Felda Ulu Tebrau can use the alternate route from Jalan Seelong (J02), Jalan Lapangan Terbang (FT16), Jalan Johor Baru-Air Hitam (FT001), and Jalan Kulai-Kota Tinggi (FT94),” the statement added.

Due to flooding, roads are also closed at Jalan Jabi-Bukit Tempurung in Segamat and Jalan Ladang Siang in Kota Tinggi.

There are also three rivers at danger level (red), with six rivers at warning level (orange).

“The red-level rivers are Sungai Gemas and Sungai Segamat (near Segamat Kecil) in Segamat, and Sungai Kahang in Kluang.

“Those at orange level are Sungai Segamat and Sungai Muar in Segamat, Sungai Sarang Buaya in Muar, Sungai Pontian Besar in Kulai, Sungai Endau in Mersing, and Sungai Sembrong in Batu Pahat,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning that some areas in Johor will have continuous rain until Wednesday night.