Floods: Number of evacuees in Johor crosses 50,000

Flood victims at the temporary flood relief centre in SJK(C) Chong Hwa Sri Medan in Batu Pahat on March 5, 2023. They had to be transferred to other centres as the facility itself was inundated by water. – Bernama

JOHOR BARU: Almost 20,000 more people have been evacuated from Batu Pahat due to floods and placed in 73 temporary relief centres (PPS).

The Johor Disaster Management Committee said as of 8pm on Sunday (March 5), the number of flood victims had reached 50,596 people from 14,515 families.

"There are 19,883 victims relocated in Batu Pahat, while the second most-affected district is Segamat with 13,527 victims, followed by Kluang (4,893), Muar (4,235), Kota Tinggi (3,209) and Tangkak (3,003).

"The total number of victims is 50,596 people, up from 49,450 people four hours ago," it said in a statement on Sunday.

The other affected districts are Mersing (1,103), Johor Baru (393), Pontian (286), and Kulai (64).

Meanwhile, Kota Tinggi district officer Datin Paduka Hazlina Jalil said that parents are reminded to closely monitor their children's activities and prevent them from playing or swimming in floodwaters.

"We have to be extra cautious during this uncertain weather and we need the full cooperation of everyone to keep themselves safe.

"We also would like to remind evacuees staying at the PPS to take better care of amenities provided for the convenience of others," she said.