203 PEOPLE EVACUATED IN MERSING FLOODS
In Kuantan, number of evacuees rises to 34
JOHOR BARU
ATOTAL of 203 people from 56 families in Mersing have been evacuated to five temporary evacuation centres when floods hit the district yesterday.
Johor Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said as at 9pm yesterday, evacuees were from Taman Nakhoda, Air Papan, Kampung Tanjung Genting, Kampung Tenglu Besar, Kampung Kelantan and Kampung Air Tawar.
“Ten people from four families have been evacuated to the Taman Nakhoda Community Hall relief centre, which opened at 1.45pm.
“Fifty people from 15 families have been evacuated to SK Air Papan, which opened at 4.15pm, while 34 people from 10 families have been sent to SK Tenglu, which opened at 4.30pm.
“Forty people from six families have been moved to the Kampung Benaung Multipurpose Hall, which opened at 4.45pm, while 39 people from 11 families have been sent to the Endau District Farmers Association building, which opened at 5.20pm,” he told Bernama.
Ayub said those evacuated included 15 people from six families in Kampung Bukit Raja, Kota Tinggi, who were evacuated to SK Telok Ramunia, which opened at 9am following flash floods.
The Mersing Public Works Department, through its Facebook page, said Jalan Jemaluan-gMersing in front of SMK Anjung Batu was flooded and remained open only to heavy vehicles.
It said light vehicles had to use Jalan Jemaluang/Kota TinggiJalan Sri Pantai-Jalan Sekakap to Mersing town.
In Kuantan, the number of flash flood evacuees rose to 34 victims from 14 families as at 9pm last night.
Nineteen evacuees from six families were from Kampung Sri Damai, while 15 people from eight families were from Kampung Pandan 2.
Pahang Civil Defence Force director Colonel Zainal Yusof said two relief centres were opened to shelter victims.
“Villagers from Kampung Sri Damai have been placed at the Sri Damai public hall, while Kampung Pandan 2 resident are being sheltered at the village’s community centre.
“Evacuations are conducted by the Civil Defence Force, with help from the police, state Fire and Rescue Department and Village Development and Security Committee,” he said yesterday.
Water levels of Sungai Dungun in Kampung Pasir Raja exceeded the danger level, while Sungai Kemaman in Jambatan Air Putih, Kemaman, breached the warning level, according to the Drainage and Irrigation Department portal publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my.
Sungai Dungun’s water levels reached 37.75m as at 6.45pm. Its danger level is 37.50m.
Sungai Kemaman reached 13.29m, which exceeded the warning level of 13.25m.
Water levels of several rivers also rose: Sungai Besut in Kampung La; Sungai Nerus in Kampung Langkap, Setiu; Sungai Tebak at Tebak Bridge, Kemaman; and, Sungai Berang in Kampung Menerong.
Water levels in the rivers exceeded the alert level, but were below the warning level.
Sungai Dungun’s water levels in Kuala Jengai were below the alert level.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department yesterday issued a warning that heavy rain and strong winds were expected to hit Dungun, Kemaman, Kuantan, and Kota Tinggi until today. Additional reporting by Hidir Reduan