JOHOR BARU – Floods in Johor have affected seven districts, with the number of evacuees rising to 5,818 people from 1,540 families as of 8am today, a surge from the 1,780 individuals from 500 families last night.
State Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan, in a statement, said Mersing and Pontian are the latest districts affected, on top of Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Johor Baru, Kulai and Batu Pahat.
He said another 28 temporary relief centres have been opened – two in Mersing, Pontian (1), Kluang (19), Kota Tinggi (14), Johor Baru (13), Kulai (5) and Batu Pahat (2) – taking the total in the state to 56.
“In Mersing, 57 victims from 14 families have been evacuated to two centres, namely SK Tenglu and SK Air Papan.
“SK Tenglu is housing 16 victims from four families from Kg Tenglu, while 41 victims from 10 families from Kg Air Papan are seeking shelter at SK Air Papan.”
He said in Pontian, six people from a family from Kg Ulu Pulai are housed at Dewan Masjid Kg Ulu Pulai, which was opened at 10pm yesterday.
He said five centres saw an increase in the number of evacuees, with those in Kluang is currently accommodating 1,826 flood victims, Kota Tinggi (868), Johor Baru (2,452), Kulai (581) and Batu Pahat (28).
Jalan Johor Baru-Kota Mersing has been closed to all types of vehicles after it was inundated with 0.2m of floodwaters. – Bernama, January 3, 2021
