Flood numbers rise in Johor and Melaka

 

The number of flood victims in Johor increased to 1,080 from 271 families as of 4pm, with Tangkak being the latest district to be affected. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The total flood victims in Johor and Melaka continued to rise this evening as numbers declined in three other states.

In Johor, the number of flood victims increased to 1,080 from 271 families as of 4pm, compared to 658 people from 192 families in the afternoon, with Tangkak being the latest district affected by the disaster.

Johor health and environment committee chairman R Vidyananthan in a statement said the victims were currently housed at 19 relief centres in Segamat and Tangkak.

“Another 10 relief centres have been opened, with nine in Segamat and another in Tangkak.”

Vidyananthan said the water level in three rivers had surpassed the danger level as of 3.15pm – Sungai Segamat in Bandar Segamat at 9.64m, Sungai Muar in Kampung Awat, Segamat (20.95m) and Sungai Tangkak in Kampung Seri Makmur (4.32m)

In Melaka, the number of flood victims increased to 507 people from families as of 4pm, compared to 382 victims from 100 families at noon.

Melaka Malaysian civil defence force director Cuthbert John Martin Quadra in a statement said all 507 were currently housed in eight relief centres.

In Terengganu, the flood situation improved this evening, with the number of victims down to 165 people from 49 families, compared to 451 people from 128 families in the afternoon.

The state’s disaster management committee secretariat chief Mohd Rosman Abdullah said four relief centres were still open, three in Dungun and one in Kemaman.

“The number of victims in Dungun dropped to 155 people from 47 families.

“Victims in Kemaman, at the Kampung Ban Ho surau, totalled 10 people from two families this evening. However, residents are advised to remain vigilant of the changes in weather conditions, and obey the authorities’ instructions to evacuate if required,” he said.

The irrigation and drainage department through its official portal announced the water level at three rivers was still flowing above the warning level, namely Sungai Dungun in Kuala Jengai, Dungun; Sungai Nerus in Kampung Langkap, Setiu; and Sungai Besut in Jambatan Keruak, Besut.

Meanwhile in Pahang, the state disaster management committee secretariat reported that the number of flood victims declined slightly this evening to 2,026, compared to 2,161 in the afternoon.

The flood victims are being housed at 40 relief centres in Lipis, Raub, Bentong, Temerloh, Rompin, Bera, Pekan and Maran, while the relief centre in Kuantan was closed today.

According to the DID, water level at four rivers have exceeded the danger level, namely Sungai Dong in Kampung Peruas in Raub, Sungai Serting at Jambatan Padang Gudang (Bera), Sungai Luit in Kampung Subuh (Maran) and Sungai Kechau in Kampung Dusun (Lipis).

The water at several stations had also exceeded the warning level, among them in Jerantut involving Kuala Tahan, Paya Gintong; Sungai Pahang in Sungai Ya; Sungai Tembeling in Kuala Tahan, besides Kuala Medang and Sungai Lipis in Benta, Lipis.

Also surpassing the warning level were Sungai Pahang in Kuala Krau (Temerloh), Sungai Lepar at Jambatan Gelugor (Kuantan) and Sungai Lipis in Batu Malim (Raub).

In Kelantan, the number of flood victims declined to 331 from 115 families as of 5pm, compared to 482 people from 154 families, in the afternoon.

According to the InfoBencana application, four relief centres are in Kuala Krai and one in Jeli.

Meanwhile, the DID reported that no major rivers in Kelantan recorded dangerous water levels, where only four areas recorded warning level readings, namely Sungai Kelantan in Kuala Krai; Sungai Kelantan in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas; Sungai Kelantan in Kusial, Tanah Merah; and Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas.

Meanwhile, in Selangor, police said that as of 4.30pm, the routes at Jambatan FT 31 Dengkil – Banting, and Jalan Genting Peras – Kuala Klawang were still closed to vehicles due to flooding, and the road bridge leading to Lapang Sasar, Subang, was damaged due to flooding. - FMT