JOHOR BARU: The number of flood victims has continued to escalate from 2,022 people at 4pm to 2,553 people at 8pm on Sunday (Jan 2).

       State Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said that two new districts have also been affected by floods, namely Johor Baru and Kluang, bringing the total affected districts to five.

       He added that the majority of the victims are still from Segamat, with 2,366 people from 598 families and 39 temporary relief centres (PPS) open.

       "As of 8pm, the affected districts are Segamat, Tangkak, Kota Tinggi, Kluang, and Johor Baru, with a total of 2,553 victims from 653 families and 45 PPS.

       "Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Tah Kang had the highest number of victims with 319 people from four areas, namely Kampung Baru, Gemas Bahru, Taman Gembira, Taman Wira, and Taman Bintang," he said in a statement.

       He added that, only two PPS are open in Kluang, two in Kota Tinggi, one in Johor Baru and one in Tangkak.

       Vidyananthan also quoted the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) warnings on continuous heavy rain in Johor that is expected to occur until Monday (Jan 3).

       Five rivers in Johor have also recorded dangerous levels, namely Sungai Kesang and Sungai Tangkak in Tangkak; Sungai Segamat, Sungai Lenik, and Sungai Muar (Buloh Kasap) in Segamat.

       Sungai Kesang had risen to 3.34m over the dangerous level of 3.00m, Sungai Tangkak is now at 4.44m from 4.00m, Sungai Segamat is at 9.22m from 9.14m, Sungai Lenik is at 6.12m from 6.00m, and Sungai Muar (Buloh Kasap) is at 9.46m from 9.14m.

       There are also six roads that have been closed due to two floods, namely Jalan Kampung Orang Asli Peta and Jalan Kampung Orang Asli Punan in Mersing; and Jalan Puting, Jalan Bukit Tempurung, Jalan Kuala Paya Balai Badang, and Jalan Tumang in Segamat.