Malaysia flood update: Johor, Pahang worst affected with almost 10,000 evacuees

New Straits Times 26 Jan 17;

JOHOR BARU: The number of flood victims evacuated in Johor stood at 8,130 as of 6am today.

State Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the 2,277 families are taking shelter at 73 temporary relief centres in five districts.

The latest figure is a slight increase from the 8,055 victims recorded at midnight.

Ayub said most of the victims are in Segamat district, with 6,206 victims from 1,781 families at 54 relief centres.

Other districts affected are Tangkak, with 1,534 victims from 392 families at 12 relief centres; Kluang, with 211 victims from 56 families at four relief centres; Muar, with 174 victims from 45 families at two relief centres; and Kota Tinggi with five victims from three families at one relief centre.

He said the Meteorological Department has forecasted thunderstorms in waters off eastern Johor until late morning today.
"(There will be) strong winds of up to 50km/h and choppy sea conditions, with waves up to 3.5m, which is dangerous to small boats," he said.

In PAHANG, eight more relief centres were opened, bringing the total number of evacuation points in the state to 93 from 85 last night, as more victims were relocated due to further flooding this morning.

Pahang Civil Defence Force director Zainal Yussof said that as of 6.30am, seven relief centres were opened in Temerloh to shelter 90 people from 23 families; while one relief centre was opened in Bera for a family of three.

Zainal said floods in nine districts in the state have worsened, forcing 5,912 people from 1,536 families to be temporarily relocated to relief centres in nine districts state-wide as of 8am.

In Kuantan, 1,354 people from 344 families were relocated to nine relief centres in the district.

In Lipis, 869 people from 234 families were relocated to 23 relief centres in the district, while in Rompin, 632 people from 169 families were taking shelter at four relief centres.

“In Jerantut, 821 people from 197 families are taking shelter at 16 relief centres, while in Raub there are 456 people from 143 families at 17 relief centres,” he added.

In Maran, 1,079 people from 284 families were evacuated to 12 relief centres after their houses were inundated by floodwaters.

“In Pekan, 608 people from 141 families are taking shelter at four relief centres in the district,” Zainal said.

In KELANTAN, the number of people at flood shelters dropped to 362 people in four districts as of 8am today.

The districts are Gua Musang, Jeli, Kuala Krai and Pasir Putih.

According to the Kelantan flood operations centre, Gua Musang has the largest number of evacuees, with150 people from 34 families.
Pasir Putih has 100 people, Kuala Krai, 77 and Jeli, 47.

In NEGRI SEMBILAN, Bernama reports that the number of flood victims in the state increased to 157 people as of 8am today.
According to the Social Welfare Department's infobanjir, the 157 evacuees (comprising 43 families) are from Taman Sungai Gemas, and they are being accommodated at the evacuation centre at Dewan Besar Gemas.

It said the evacuation center at Balairaya Kampung Jeram Panjang was closed last night after the evacuees, comprising four families, returned to their respective homes.

In PERAK, Bernama reports that a total of 569 people from 176 families are still at eight flood evacuation centres in five districts as of 8am.

According to the Social Welfare Department's infobanjir, the evacuation centres are in the districts of Kinta, Larut Matang and Selama, Manjung, Hilir Perak and Perak Tengah.

Manjung recorded the highest number of flood victims with 383 people, 180 of whom are at Dewan Inderawati, Beruas; while the remaining 203 people are at Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat Padang Serai.

In the district of Larut Matang and Selama, there are 65 evacuees at two relief centres, namely Dewan Orang Ramai Matang Merbau Sungai Tinggi (24 people) and Surau Padang Serai Dalam (41 people).

In Kinta, 76 people are at Dewan Sikh Settlement Tanjung Tualang, while in Hilir Perak, 31 flood victims are at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Ara.

In the Hilir Perak district, four people are taking shelter at Surau Kampung Talang Belanja Kiri, Parit, and 10 others are at Surau Nurul Jannah, Parit 6, Layang-Layang Kiri, Parit.

In SABAH, Bernama reports that the number of flood victims at three evacuation centres in Pitas and Paitan has dropped to 228 people from 86 families as of 8am today.

Chief Secretariat of the Sabah Disaster Management Committee, Colonel Mulliadi Al-Hamdi Ladin, said 45 victims (from 10 families) are at the evacuation centre at Dewan Kampung Binsulung in Paitan.

In the Pitas district, he said 61 of the victims (from 28 families) are at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pekan 2; and 122 victims (from 48 families) are at Dewan Komuniti Kampung Indah.

Reporting by AHMAD FAIRUZ OTHMAN, NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHI, SULAIMAN JAAFAR AND BERNAMA


The latest from Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor
KRISTY INUS AND BERNAMA New Straits Times 26 Jan 17;

KOTA KINABALU: Five relief centres were closed in the flood-affected districts of Pitas and Beluran today after the number of evacuees dropped from 624 yesterday to 228 this morning.

As of 8am, one centre in Beluran and four centres in Pitas were closed, leaving one still in operation Beluran with 45 victims, and two in Pitas with 183 victims collectively.

Sabah Civil Defence Director Colonel Muliadi Al-Hamdi Ladin said water levels at Sungai Kebatasan and Sungai Bengkoka in Pitas have reduced, while Sungai Labuk in Beluran has remained unchanged.

“It is currently sunny in Pitas and water levels reduced due to better weather, while Beluran is currently cloudy with light rain in some areas,” he said.

In SARAWAK, Bernama reports that fourteen primary schools in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri are closed today due to the floods in the state.

Sarawak Disaster Management Committee secretariat from the Civil Defence Force Major Ismail Mahedin said the school closures affect 1,232 students.

They are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Balai, SK Kuala Sigu, SK Genaan, SK Bukit Mawang, SK Kuala Binyo, SK Long Sobeng, SK Kuala Bok, SK Long Luyang, SK Ulu Segan, SK Sg Anak, SK St Dunstan, SK St Swithun, SK Long Jegan and SK Long Teran Kanan.

However, there have been no evacuations.

In SELANGOR, Bernama reports that the number of flood victims at three evacuation centres in Sabak Bernam district increased to 364 people (from 105 families) as at 8am today, from 352 people last night.

A spokesman at the Sabak Bernam Disaster Operations Room said the number of victims at Dewan Sri Bernam, Sungai Besar, increased to 161 people (from 46 families), from 151 victims (from 42 families) last night.

The number of flood victims at the evacuation centre in Dewan Seri Nakhoda, Bagan Nakhoda Omar, remains at 32 people (from eight families).

The spokesman said the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department have provided four pumps to help transfer stagnant flood waters to the sea.

"Several areas, like Kampung Parit 5, Parit Baru, and Sungai Tengar, are submerged under about 0.3 metre of water, and the residents cannot go out to sea," he added.


Second wave of floods worse than last year, says Zahid
FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR New Straits Times 25 Jan 17;

PUTRAJAYA: The second wave of floods this year is likely to be worse than last year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid said this is based on the rainfall distribution and the rising water level in several states, especially in Johor and Pahang.

“The second wave of floods last year was considered minimal, but this time I think the situation is quite bad. This is based on the report by Meteorological Department that strong winds and heavy rain are expected to continue.

“The number of evacuees in flood-affected areas is expected to increase.

“We have intensified the preparedness level, including mobilising additional relief team to Johor and Pahang,” Zahid told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from New Zealand Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, here, today.

Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the relevant disaster relief agencies will continue to mobilise mobile kitchen and ensure that food supply is sufficient for the flood victims.

Meanwhile at the meeting, Zahid and Woodhouse discussed on the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the immigration issues.

They also shared their perspectives on ways to address the migration issues, including migrant smuggling.

Woodhouse is on a working visit to Malaysia until tomorrow.


Flood situation in Johor worsens
The Star 26 Jan 17;

JOHOR BARU: The flood situation in Johor shows no sign of improving.

The number of evacuees at the 73 flood evacuation centres increased to 8,130 people as of 6am Thursday.

State Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the number increased from 8,045 people at 10pm Wednesday.

He said all the flood victims were from the districts of Segamat, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Muar and Tangkak.

"In Segamat, the number of victims at the 54 centres increased to 6,206 people (1,781 families), from 6,213 people (1,783 families) last night.

"In Tangkak, the 1,534 flood victims (392 families) are at 12 evacuation centres; Kota Tinggi (five people from three families at a centre); Kluang (211 people from 56 families at four centres) and Muar (174 victims from 45 families at two centres," he said in a statement here.

Ayub said so far, only evacuation centres in the Johor Baru, Mersing and Batu Pahat districts had been closed, while two districts, Kulai and Pontian, were not affected by the floods. - Bernama


Johor floods: 8,045 people from five districts placed in 73 temporary shelters
AHMAD FAIRUZ OTHMAN New Straits Times 26 Jan 17;

JOHOR BARU: The number of flood victims in Johor stood at 8,045 people in five districts at 10pm tonight, said state Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat.

He said the victims were from 2,253 families, relocated to 73 temporary relief centres in the state.

He said the majority of the flood victims were in Segamat with 6,213 people from 1,783 families relocated to 54 relief centres.

This was followed by Tangkak with 1,446 people from 369 families relocated to 12 relief centres, Kluang with 207 people from 53 families relocated to four relief centres, Muar with 174 people from 45 families relocated to two relief centres and Kota Tinggi with five victims from three families relocated to a relief centre.

He said relief centres in the districts of Johor Baru, Mersing and Batu Pahat, which were previously operational since Monday, were now closed. He added that Kulai and Pontian are the two districts not affected by the floods.

Floods cause disruptions to KTM services
The Star 25 Jan 17;

PETALING JAYA: The KTM Intercity train service has been experiencing disruptions following floods along the Southern and East Coast sectors.

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) in a statement on Wednesday said that KM590.250 of the Southern sector, from Segamat – Genuang in Johor, and KM220.5 on the East Coast sector, from Kuala Lipis in Pahang – Gua Musang in Kelantan, were flooded.

Train services along the affected sectors have been disrupted since Tuesday.

KTMB has made alternative travel arrangements for all Intercity train services affected in both sectors.

The affected services are as follows:

1. Train No. 26 (JB Sentral - Tumpat)

Passengers will board the train from JB Sentral to Kluang station. From Kluang station, passengers will be driven to Tumpat station by bus.

2. Train No. 27 (Tumpat - JB Sentral)

Passengers will board the train from Tumpat station to Kuala Krai station. From Kuala Krai station, passengers will board a bus to Kluang station and proceed to JB Sentral by train.

3. Selatan Express (Gemas - JB Sentral)

Passengers from Gemas station will board a bus to Kluang Station. Train services from Kluang station to JB Sentral are operational.

4. East Coast Shuttle (Kuala Lipis - Gua Musang - Dabong - Kuala Krai - Tumpat)

The train service operates between Kuala Krai to Tumpat only.

KTMB said passengers are entitled to a full refund for all affected Southern and East Coast sector train services.

"However, the refunds must be made before the train or bus departs.

"KTM Berhad is making every effort to provide the best service to all passengers and apologises for the inconvenience caused," it said.

For further information, passengers can contact the KTMB Call Centre at 03-2267 1200 or visit their official website at www.ktmb.com.my.



Heavy rain expected in all the other states, says Met Dept
GAN PEI LING and SIMON KHOO The Star 26 Jan 17;

PETALING JAYA: Perlis is the only state in the country that can look forward to sunshine for the Chinese New Year holidays while heavy rain is expected in other states.

According to the Meteorological Department, residents in Perlis can expect rainfall today and tomorrow.

But it is expected to stay dry for the first three days of the Lunar New Year. The Chinese New Year celebrations begin on Saturday.

A dry day is also expected on Monday, the third day of the Chinese New Year in Penang. Showers are expected in the afternoon in parts of the island.

The department said most parts of Sabah and Sarawak are likely to be rainy over the Chinese New Year weekend, with thunderstorms in the afternoons and showers in the evenings.

The wet spell is also likely to continue in coastal areas of Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang.

Strong monsoon rains that have hit Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor are likely to ease by the weekend.

However, thunderstorms are expected in parts of these three states over the next four days.

In Kedah, showers are expected in some areas in the afternoons and evenings for the same period, while thunderstorms in the afternoon are expected in Perak, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

In Pahang, intermittent rain over the past 24 hours has caused many rivers to swell.

Residents near the low-lying Sungai Lembing are on alert after the water level rose between 0.6m and 0.9m.

In Jerantut, about 40 to 50 foreign tourists were left stranded in Kuala Tahan following heavy rains on Tuesday.

Some of them left due to the bad weather. However, others were stranded after the route from Kuala Tahan to Jerantut town was cut off.

“The tourists can still travel back to Jerantut by boat. But we advised them not to do so because the river current is very strong. Floating deadwood, rubbish and logs can also pose danger to the travelling boats,” said Pahang Fire and Rescue Department Zone 2 chief Shahrin Yusmar Mat Yusof after meeting the tourists in Taman Negara here yesterday.

They are mainly from Germany, France and Holland.

The high-tide phenomenon is also expected in Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin and the people are advised against going out to sea.

Pahang Crisis Relief Squad Malaysia of MCA chief Datuk Chang Hong Seong said 150 personnel were ready to be deployed.

“Our focus will be on Sungai Lembing and Temerloh,” he said.