PENGERANG: A total of 34 people, including a baby, were transferred to a temporary relief centre after a flash flood hit Kampung Baru Sungai Mas in Penawar here.

       The Kota Tinggi Civil Defence Force Disaster Management Secretariat in a statement informed that the incident occurred at about 5.20pm on Friday (Nov 5).

       "Continuous heavy rainfall caused some of the residential areas and villages to be inundated with water, forcing people to be moved from their houses,” it said.

       "Eight families were relocated to the Kampung Baru Sungai Mas community hall at about 6.50pm," added the Secretariat

       They added that it was drizzling in the area and that they would give updates on the situation from time to time.

       Meanwhile, Johor fire and rescue department chief Datuk Yahaya Madis said that the department had launched statewide flood surveillance in hotspots and flood-prone areas on Friday.

       "As of 7pm, the water levels in all rivers in the state are still under control even though there are a few cases of flash floods.

       "Surveillance was conducted by all 33 fire and rescue stations in the state," he said the department has also conducted safety awareness activities on public beaches in Batu Layar and Punggai.

       He added that those living in flood-prone areas should be ready to move out if they started to notice continuous heavy rainfall in their area.