KUALA LUMPUR – More people in Johor are seeking shelter from floods as water levels rise in six districts.
There were 3,322 flood victims in the state at temporary relief centres as of 8pm today – an increase from over 600 people this afternoon, according to the state disaster management committee.
The six districts affected are Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Segamat, Johor Bahru, Kulai, and Pontian, according to the National Disaster Control Centre of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
Kota Tinggi had the highest number of victims at 1,638.
The Johor floods also left around 230 people in Kg Bukit Dagang, Sg Tiram cut off when their access road and an alternative road were both inundated by water.
60 houses in the village have also been affected, Felda Sg Tiram village head Mohamad Misri said.
Rivers in six areas in Johor are also at dangerous levels and on an increasing trend, according to the Irrigation and Drainage Department.
The rivers are Sg Skudai at Kg Laut, Sg Johor at Dagang, Sg Endau at Kg Contoh, and Sg Johor at three locations – Sri Jaya, Kg Murni Jaya and Kg Sg Siam.
Surrounding areas such as Batu 10, Lorong Mak Piah, Kg Paya, Kg Sg Serai and Simpang Ladang Mados are also flooded, Bernama reported Johor Jaya Fire and Rescue Station chief Mohd Faiz Ramli, as saying.
Meanwhile, the situation in Pahang has also worsened with 315 victims from 75 families taking shelter in eight relief centres in Rompin and Pekan.
The Meteorological Department is predicting easterly winds to build up in Pahang, Johor and eastern Sabah until January 9 and in Sarawak until January 11.
This situation could lead to increased humidity, potentially bringing continuous rain to the affected areas.
It has also put out a continuous rain and rough seas warning for the east of Pahang and Johor until January 8.
Road closures
Nadma’s report also stated that as of today, 49 roads have been closed due to the floods in several states.
This includes Jalan Kota Tinggi-Kluang, Jalan Mersing-Endau (Mersing) – both in Johor, Jalan Bukit Besi-Dungun in Terengganu, and the road from Simpang Tiga Sg Pahi to Simpang Tiga Kg Peria in Kelantan. – January 7, 2024