Johor and Pahang battle rising waters as yellow alert issued

KUALA LUMPUR: A yellow alert for continuous rain has been issued by MetMalaysia for several areas in Pahang and Johor until today.

The areas are Rompin and Pekan in Pahang, and Kluang, Mersing, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Baru in Johor, according to BK.

Continuous rain is also expected from Jan 11 to 12 for Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei and Mukah in Sarawak.

The National Disaster Control Centre of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has issued a notice asking for the state and district disaster management committees to be activated and to increase the level of preparedness.

As of noon yesterday, the number of flood evacuees in Johor and Pahang had risen to 8,904 people at 80 relief centres as of 4pm yesterday from 8,578 people in 78 relief centres. Based on the latest report by Nadma, Johor recorded the highest number of evacuees, with 7,511 people in 54 relief centres in six districts.

Kota Tinggi is the worst affected, with 4,397 evacuees in 26 relief centres, followed by Kluang with 1,680 evacuees at 14 centres, Johor Baru (1,271 evacuees in 10 centres), Segamat (60 evacuees in two centres), and one centre each in Kulai (86 evacuees) and Pontian (17 evacuees).

In Pahang, the flood situation has worsened, with 1,393 evacuees in 26 relief centres in three districts – Rompin (622), Maran (478) and Pekan (293).

A survey by the Irrigation and Drainage Department found several rivers in Johor to be at dangerous levels, including Sungai Skudai, Sungai Johor and Sungai Endau.

Also at dangerous levels are Sungai Kedah in Kedah, Sungai Kelantan in Kelantan, Sungai Perak in Perak, Sungai Kuantan, Sungai Pahang and Sungai Rompin in Pahang, Sungai Batang Sadong in Sarawak, and Sungai Arau in Perlis.

The report said 50 roads were also closed due to floods, damaged bridges and landslides, including Jalan Kota Tinggi-Kluang in Johor, Jalan Sungai Sok-Chucuh Puteri in Kelantan; Jalan Raya Timur Barat Kupang-Gerik-Jeli in Perak and Jalan Temerloh-Jerantut in Pahang.