BATU PAHAT: The number of flood victims in the district has risen sharply to 244 people from 85 families, with authorities warning of continued risk due to heavy rainfall and high tides.
The Johor Disaster Management Committee said that as of 8pm on Saturday (April 5), only one temporary relief centre (PPS) had been opened – SMK Seri Gading – to accommodate the evacuees.
“The number of flood victims is showing an increasing trend, rising from 99 people at 2pm to 244 people at 8pm,” the committee said in a statement.
Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan said the flood began on Thursday night (April 3) following a sudden rise in river water levels.
“The area was hit by heavy rain that coincided with high tide. Two areas have been affected – Kampung Baharu and Parit Bengkok,” he said when contacted.
He added that the floodwaters were slow to recede as both areas are located in low-lying zones.
The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has deployed a water pump to help alleviate the situation, but operations have been delayed due to the tide.
“The pump could not be used immediately because of the high tide, so we have to wait until low tide,” said Aminolhuda.
Meanwhile, Johor DID director Azren Khalil confirmed that one mobile pump unit with a capacity of 10 cusecs (280 litres per second) was installed at Parit Basri in Seri Medan at around 10pm on April 3.
“The pump was installed to deal with stagnant floodwaters and to reduce the risk of further flooding in the area, especially if heavy rain continues,” he said.
Azren added that the main source of flooding was Sungai Simpang Kiri, and that the department hopes to begin work on the Sri Gading Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) later this year.
“We hope the situation will improve once the mitigation project gets underway,” he said.
