Thousands evacuated as floods hit Johor

Batu Pahat has become the latest district in Johor to be hit by floods, as the total number of evacuees in the state rose to 3,612 as of 8am today, compared to 2,912 last night.

The state disaster management committee said five more relief centres had been opened, bringing the total number to 35 in the districts of Kota Tinggi, Kluang, Mersing, Segamat and Batu Pahat.

"Segamat is the worst-affected district, with 1,392 people from 393 families evacuated to 13 relief centres, followed by Kluang with 1,139 people from 325 families at four centres.

"In Kota Tinggi, 557 people from 136 families are housed at six relief centres, while in Mersing, 403 people from 130 families are seeking shelter at four centres," the committee said in a statement today.

In Batu Pahat, 121 people from 30 families were placed at one relief centre.

Meanwhile, Jalan Senai-Gemas (FT001), Segamat, which was closed yesterday has been reopened to all vehicles, while Jalan Sungai Tiram-Ulu Tebrau has been closed to traffic following a landslide.

Three rivers in Johor are reported to have exceeded their danger levels, namely Sungai Muar (the river mouth of Sungai Gemas) at 19.13m, Sungai Segamat (Segamat Kecil) at 37.55m and Sungai Kahang (Kampung Contoh) at 15.7m.