JOHOR BAHRU, 15 Jan 2018:
During this current rainy period, landslips had rendered inaccessible two routes – the federal road linking Johor Bahru to Kuantan, Pahang and state road linking Telok Arong to Tanjung Resang, Endau and Penyabong.
As an alternative, residents intending to go to Mersing or Kuantan or from Mersing to Johor Bahru are advised to use Jalan Jemaluang- Nitar Utama and those to Tanjung Resang, Endau and Penyabong, via Jalan Tanjung Resang-Jalan Mersing/Endau-Jalan Air Papan.
Meanwhile, 13 flood evacuation centres are currently operating to shelter 1,360 people from 371 families.
State Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said as at 8am, 103 people from 22 families are staying at four centres in Segamat; 1,225, from 342 families, in eight centres in Mersing; and 32, from seven families, at one centre in Kota Tinggi.
The affected areas in Segamat are Kampung Seberang Batu Badak, Kampung Pogoh Tengah and Kampung Tekam while in Mersing District, Kampung Tenglu Besar, Kampung Air Papan, Kampung Baru Jemari, Kampung Sungai Muka Dua, Kampung Orang Asli Labong, Kampung Air Merah and Kampung Benaung.
The affected area in Kota Tinggi was Kampung Perepat, said Ayub in a statement today.
He said the floods had also disrupted road communication for two families from Kampung Batu 7 Jementah, Segamat and 183 families from Kampung Peroh, Kampung Pucor, Kampung Sedohok and Kampung Berasau in Kluang.
In LABUAN, a heavy downpour early today caused flash floods in several parts of the duty-free-island here.
The worst affected is Kg Rancha-Rancha Darat with at least two houses submerged, damaging furniture and electrical appliances.
Villager Mohd Rezuan Abd Hassan, 37, said flash floods frequently occurred when there was continuous rain.
“We have forwarded complaints to the authorities concerned but nothing has been done. We cannot afford to have this problem each time a heavy downpour occurs. We hope the local authority will look into our plight.”
He said his house was already under knee-deep of water in just one hour of heavy rain.
“My two children cannot attend school today as the house is still messy with mud and my wife is pregnant and due anytime now but I’m grateful that we’re all safe,” he said, noting the clogged drain and ongoing construction in the vicinity as the probable cause of the flash floods.
The heavy rain began around midnight and increased in intensity by 2 am, causing many village roads on the island to be inundated.
– Bernama