JOHOR BARU — Continuous heavy rain over the past two days has exacerbated flooding in the state, with the number of victims fleeing their homes surging to 3,835 people from 1,054 families as of 8am on Sunday (Dec 15).

This compares to 2,853 people recorded on Saturday night, Bernama reported.

The number of flooded districts has also risen to seven, with the latest area affected being Batu Pahat, said state Government, Urban Well-being and Environment Committee chairman Tan Chen Choon.

He said the evacuees are taking shelter at 52 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Kluang, Segamat, Kulai, Muar and Batu Pahat.

Mr Tan added that Mersing has the highest number of displaced people at 1,262, followed by Kota Tinggi with 1,071.

Got this from a former RTM journalist, flood near Kipmart Kota Tinggi, Johor.

2006, they had the worst flood. pic.twitter.com/Fm0NpBHcKD

Meanwhile, four major roads in Kota Tinggi are inundated by floodwaters and inaccessible to all vehicles. They are Jalan Batu 18, Jalan Ladang Pasir Logok-Ladang Bukit Berkelompok, Jalan Ladang Bukit Payong and Jalan Kampung Mawai Lama.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had earlier issued a red (danger) weather warning for Mersing and Kota Tinggi; a severe (orange) warning for Segamat, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Pontian, Kulai and Johor Baru; and a yellow (alert) warning for Tangkak. NEW STRAITS TIMES