KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — The number of evacuees in Johor continued to increase tonight, while Melaka and Pahang recorded a drop in the number of people accommodated at temporary relief centres, as of 8pm today.
Although only seven districts in Johor are still affected by the floods, the number of victims increased to 42,851 people, as of 8 tonight, compared with 41,543 reported at 2pm today.
According to the state Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), the number of relief centres still operating has dropped to 186, compared with 198 reported at 2pm.
It also said that the flood situation in several districts is improving. However, Batu Pahat still recorded a total of 32,312 evacuees, followed by Muar with 4,151 people and Tangkak with 2,499 people.
A total of 10 rivers are still above the danger level, among them Sungai Batu Pahat at the Bekok Dam (Batu Pahat), which is now at a level of 20.03 metres (m); Sungai Muar in Buloh Kasap (Segamat), at 9.44m and Sungai Muar in Bukit Kepong (Segamat), at 5.14m.
However, fine weather is expected in seven districts, while Mersing, Kota Tinggi and Kulai districts are expected to experience rain tonight.
Meanwhile, in Melaka, the number of evacuees in Jasin began to drop to 557 people, from 149 families, at 8 this evening, compared with 598 people, from 159 families, at 2 this afternoon.
The state JPBN Secretariat, in a statement today, said that all the victims were accommodated in five centres, namely at the Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Batu Gajah, involving 193 people, from 51 families.
“A total of 142 people, from 34 families, are housed in SK Parit Penghulu; 61 people, from 15 families, at SK Seri Mendapat; 99 people, from 25 families, at SK Sungai Rambai and 62 people, from 24 families, at SK Parit Gantong,” it said.
In Pahang, the Social Welfare Department’s InfoBencana application reported that the number of evacuees in Rompin dropped to 2,248 people, who were placed in 15 centres, compared with 2,255 people reported this afternoon.
The publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my portal reported that Sungai Keratong in Rompin remained above the danger level tonight.
— Bernama
