Flooding worsens in Johor, more than 25,000 people evacuated

The fire and rescue department rescuing flood victims who sat on their roof to seek relief from the floods in Chaah, Segamat on Tuesday (March 1).

JOHOR BARU: The flooding has worsened in Johor with the number of evacuees exceeding the 25,000 mark.

The Johor disaster management committee said all 10 districts statewide have been hit by floods, with 25,213 victims from 7,013 families seeking relief at 187 temporary flood relief centres (PPS) as of 8am on Thursday (March 2).

“The worst-hit district is Segamat, where 7,272 evacuees from 2,050 were forced out of their homes in areas such as Kampung Contoh, Chaah, Felda Pemanis and Kampung Tenang.

“This is followed by Kluang (5,426 evacuees), Batu Pahat (3,236), Kota Tinggi (2,912), Johor Baru (2,096), Muar (1,667), Kulai (952), Tangkak (930), Mersing (472) and Pontian (250),” it said in a statement.

The Meteorology Department has also put Johor in the red or dangerous zone for continuous rain.

The committee further said that the water level threshold at the water basins in Segamat, Muar, Tangkak, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Mersing have overflowed past the dangerous levels.

“Rain kept coming on Wednesday (March 1) night until early Thursday morning and the on-ground teams are reporting drier skies after 8am,” it read.

Those affected by floods are urged to contact the Malaysian Emergency Response Services 999 (MERS 999) for assistance.