Over 10,000 in Johor evacuated as floods mar Hari Raya preparations

9 river monitoring stations have recorded water levels at a dangerous level

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JOHOR - More than 10,000 people in Johor have been evacuated from their homes amid heavy flooding ahead of Hari Raya celebrations.

The Johor Disaster Management Committee said that 10,763 people had been evacuated from their homes as at 8am on March 21, more than double the number recorded just 10 hours earlier, which stood at 5,092.

"The victims from 3,018 families have been sent to temporary flood relief centres in Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Pontian and Kulai.

"A total of 98 temporary flood relief centres have opened in the five affected districts as at 8am on (March 21), an increase from 79 as at 10pm (on March 20),"" it said in a statement.

It added that Johor Bahru remains the district with the highest number of flood evacuees, with 4,291 people.

"This is followed by Kluang with 2,163, Kota Tinggi with 1,762, Pontian with 1,395, and Kulai with 1,152," it said.

Nine river monitoring stations have recorded water levels at a dangerous level. These comprise Sungai Lenik, Sungai Kahang, Sungai Siam, Sungai Siku, Sungai Pulai, Sungai Skudai, Parit Keliling, Sungai Tiram and Sungai Paya Dato.