Meera Vijayan and Farik Zolkepli, the Star 7 Dec 07;
JOHOR BARU: Continuous rainfall flooded parts of Johor Baru, Segamat, Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi and Kluang, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,200 victims last evening.
The district with the highest number of evacuees is Johor Baru with 1,346, followed by Segamat with 1,269, Kota Tinggi (623).
Kluang reported evacuating 429 victims while Batu Pahat had 29 victims. All 10 people who were evacuated in Muar earlier yesterday had returned home later in the day.
A bridge from Labis to Segamat near Sungai Karas has been closed to traffic, with only heavy vehicles allowed to pass.
All roads remain passable, including the Labis-Segamat trunk road near Sungai Karas which was previously accessible only to heavy vehicles.
The Meteorological Services Department has issued an “orange” level flood alert for Kelantan and Terengganu, with moderate and heavy rainfall expected till late tomorrow night. The alert signifies continuous rainfall over several hours.
The department has also issued a first category warning on strong winds and rough seas off Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, east Johor, Sarawak and Sabah, expected to last till Tuesday.
Strong north-easterly winds of 40kph to 50kph with waves up to 3.5m are expected.
Johor CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Hussin Ismail said police were monitoring the situation.
“We are prepared for the floods and all our men are on standby,” he said.
Johor Fire and Rescue Department director Amer Yusof said his personnel were also prepared “for the worst.”
“The floods are not too bad yet, so we have not had to use any of our rescue boats so far,” he added.
Amer said the department decided to evacuate residents early for safety reasons.
State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Dr Robia Kosai said the Welfare Department had sent out food and emergency supplies to all districts, including the islands off Mersing and interior areas like Kampung Peta in Endau-Rompin.
For flood-related inquiries, call the police hotline at 07-221 6393 or the Fire and Rescue Department hotline at 07-224 7444.
Residents’ worst fears come true as homes are inundated
The Star 7 Dec 07;
JOHOR BARU: Rubiah Sengari's worst fears came true on Wednesday. He home in Kampung Sentosa Barat was ravaged again by murky floodwaters.
Last year, her house was inundated and she lost all her belongings.
“This time, I only managed to save some important documents, my television set and our clothing.
“It was quite bad with the water reaching above waist level,” said the 33-year-old mother of three who, however, was grateful that her husband and three children were safe.
Rubiah said the water started rising at about 4pm on Wednesday and reached waist level within an hour.
A total of 522 villagers were evacuated since 4.30pm on Wednesday. The water started receding by 3am yesterday morning, and some of the villagers returned home.
“We are not allowed to go home yet because there is a possibility it might flood again. My family and I will remain at the community hall until the flood alert is withdrawn,” Rubiah said.
Another villager, Ismail Ahmad, 53, said his house was totally submerged by 4.30pm on Wednesday.
“It was the same last year but at least the water receded faster this time.”
Norizan Ahmad Kassim, a member of the village security committee, said that firemen, police and other rescuers were deployed to the village to help in the evacuation process.
Among areas involved are Kampung Plentong Baru, Kampung Sentosa Barat, Kampung Sentosa Damai, and Kampung Air Putih, Sungai Serai.
Among the latest critical locations were Kampung Oren, Ulu Tiram, Skudai, and Plentong. Meanwhile, residents in Kangkar Tebrau have also been put on alert to evacuate.
