JOHOR BARU: More relief centres are now in operation, with nine newly established ones in the state capital, due to flash floods in various low-lying and flood-prone areas, in Johor, today.
At 4pm earlier, nine relief centres in Johor Baru, namely three in Tebrau, four in Putri Wangsa, one each in Skudai and Perling went into operations to shelter floods victims who were evacuated from their respective houses.
State Flood Disaster Management Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani said the number of the victims at the newly opened relief centres are yet to be updated, as victims are still being evacuated.
"There are 26 relief centres state-wide namely three in Kluang, 12 in Kota Tinggi, nine in Johor Baru, one each in Kulai and Segamat.
"The number of victims, excluding the figures that have yet to be obtained, stands at 851 victims from 241 families and is expected to further increase as it is still raining heavily since 4am today," he said.
He reiterated that victims who are asked to evacuate their houses, should adhere to the instructions for their safety.
Meanwhile, 12 roads in Kota Tinggi were inundated by water with strong currents, with eight roads accessible only to heavy vehicles.
Seven rivers reached critical levels and overflowed its banks, including in Sungai Kahang in Kluang at 15.13m, Sungai Johor at 18.14m and Sungai Siam at 21.10m both in Kulai, 8.76m at Sungai Kepala Orang in Kota Tinggi and 4.73m at Sungai Skudai and 9.61m at Sungai Tebrau, both in Johor Baru.
While Sungai Lenik in Batu Pahat and another stretch of Sungai Johor in Kota Tinggi triggered an orange-alert, which indicates a warning-level.
All the remaining rivers out of the 14 rivers reached the yellow-alert, which do not pose an immediate danger.
Flood-victims are urged to remain vigilant and take extra precaution, with rising water levels and strong currents, attributed to the northeast monsoon-effect.
They are also advised to take extra precaution, and avoid risking their lives in an attempt to save their belongings.