JOHOR BARU: About 50 houses in Kampung Pasir, Tampoi, were inundated after a floodgate broke loose under pressure from a high tide, allowing water from Sungai Skudai to overflow into the village.
The incident occurred at around 12.30am yesterday, with water levels rising to 3.7m within a short period and flooding residents’ homes.
It was the second flood in the area within two weeks, following a pump breakdown on Sept 30 that affected about 1,000 residents in more than 200 houses.
Resident Jalil Selamat, 67, said he was jolted awake by the rising water.
Fortunately, he and his family were prepared since high tides had been forecast over the past three days.
“We knew about the risk of flooding but the situation was made worse when the floodgate broke, causing the water to rise very quickly,” he said.
Jalil, who has lived in Kampung Pasir for 42 years, said flooding had long been a problem and had become increasingly frequent in recent years.
Water receded around 4am before returning at 12pm with the afternoon tide.
Village head Zaini Sinong explained that one of six floodgates regulating seawater flow gave way, spilling Sungai Skudai into the village at calf-deep levels.
No injuries were reported.
On the new pump house project by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Zaini said construction is progressing on schedule.
Work began on June 30, 2024, with physical structure completion initially set for July 30, 2026. The fully electric facility is now undergoing power connection works ahead of commissioning.
Visiting the site, Johor public works, transport, and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the pump is expected to be operational at Kampung Pasir within two to three weeks.
