12 families evacuated as floods hit Pontian and Muar
JOHOR BARU: Heavy rain forced folks from two villages in Pontian to be evacuated to two temporary relief centres.
The affected villages as at 3pm yesterday were Kampung Parit Basilam and Kampung Maju Jaya, where 42 people from nine families had to be moved.
Two locations in Muar were also inundated – Kampung Seri Gelam and Kampung Sari Baru – at 11am yesterday, said state Local Government, Urban Wellbeing and Environment committee chairman Tan Chen Choon.
“Six people from three families were rescued but no relief centres were opened as the water level has receded,” he said in a statement here.
The rescue effort involved the Fire and Rescue Department, the
Civil Defence Force (APM), police, Meteorological Department and district office.
Meanwhile, a downpour in Johor Baru also wreaked havoc with several flash floods in Kempas, Taman Mount Austin and Ulu Pulai.
Larkin Fire and Rescue Department operation commander K. Karuppannan said the department received a distress call at 12.28pm yesterday.
“Only one house was occupied and we assisted one man and two women at the location,” he said.
The victims, he added, refused to be moved to a temporary relief centre.
“We placed some personnel to monitor the location and provide aid to the victims,” he said in a statement here.
Meanwhile, in Kampung Ulu Pulai, Skudai Fire and Rescue Department operation commander Suraini Adnan said that rescue operations were ongoing in
Kampung Pulai and Kampung Ulu Pulai.
“The water has risen up to 5ft in both villages due to high tide and the rescue operation is currently being conducted with help from the police, APM, Rela and villagers,” he said.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the state government had instructed all drains and irrigation to be inspected statewide following the flash floods.
“The agencies must make sure that the drains are not clogged, and if it is, then the drains must be cleared.
“The monsoon season is here now with heavy rain and strong winds happening the last few days. I urge the public to take care of themselves and be vigilant,” he said after holding a discussion with agencies and departments including the Works Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department.