Johor, Pahang on red alert as rivers breach danger levels

Jennifer Gomez, New Straits Times 7 Dec 07;

KUALA LUMPUR: Many areas of Johor Baru and Kota Tinggi are flooded after almost continuous rain since Wednesday. Parts of Segamat are at risk, as Sungai Segamat breached the danger level at 4pm yesterday.

The river has risen to 9.08m, 8cm above the danger level, according to Department of Drainage and Irrigation hydrology and water resources division deputy director Azmi Md Jafri.

And the wet conditions in Johor are expected to continue until tonight according to the Meteorological Department, which has Johor and Pahang under red alert.

Flooded areas include Kampung Sg Plentong and Kampung Sg Tiram near Johor Baru, and Kampung Sg Berangan in Kota Tinggi, said Azmi.

Azmi said Kota Tinggi recorded 114mm of rain on Wednesday night, while Kampung Sg Plentong had received 148mm until 3pm yesterday.

The level of Sungai Plentong rose to 4.44m by 5pm on Wednesday, breaching the 3.7m alert level.

Azmi added that about 200 residents of Kampung Sungai Plentong had moved to Sekolah Kebangsaan Permas for temporary shelter.

About 90 residents of Kampung Sg Tiram also had to vacate their homes.

“Sg Johor, which caused the flooding in Kota Tinggi the last time, was at 1.16m at 3pm yesterday. The alert level is 2.2m,” said Azmi.

In Pahang, moderate and heavy rain are expected until tomorrow night.

Azmi added that Sg Kuantan at Bukit Kenau had reached 2.04m at 4pm yesterday, above the alert level.

Kuantan, Pekan, Jerantut, Bentong, Kuala Lipis and Maran have been experiencing wet weather since Wednesday morning.

Moderate to heavy showers are expected in Kelantan and Terengganu till tomorrow night, while Negri Sembilan and Malacca can expect the same until tonight, according to the Meteorological Department, which has placed these states under orange alert.

Bernama reports that in Kota Baru, people living along the banks of Sungai Golok, especially in Tanah Merah, have been advised to take precautionary measures.

According to the Kelantan Drainage and Irrigation Department, Sungai Golok in Tanah Merah had risen to 21.73m as at 4pm yesterday.

Its normal reading is 19m. The river’s alert level is 21.50m while danger level 23.50m.

Meanwhile, in Pantai Sabak, big waves and strong winds have been pounding the beaches over the past several days. The residents have been advised to be ready for evacuation when ordered to do so.

Fishermen, however, are still going out to sea.