ONE hundred and seventy three people from 46 families in Mersing have been evacuated to five temporary evacuation centres after floods hit the district today.

Johor Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Ayub Rahmat said as at 6pm, the evacuees comprised residents from Taman Nakhoda, Air Papan, Kampung Tanjung Genting, Kampung Tenglu Besar, Kampung Kelantan and Kampung Air Tawar.

“A total of 10 people from four families were evacuated to the Taman Nakhoda Community Hall, which was opened at 1.45pm, 50 people from 15 families to SK Air Papan, which was opened at 4.15pm, and 34 people from 10 families to SK Tenglu, which was opened at 4.30pm.

“Forty people from six families were moved to the Kampung Benaung Multipurpose Hall, which was opened at 4.45pm, and 39 people from 11 families were moved to the Endau Farmers’ Association Building, which was opened at 5.20pm.”

He added that 15 people from six families in Kampung Bukit Raja, Kota Tinggi, were evacuated to SK Telok Ramunia, which was opened at 9am.

He said the flood situation was being monitored by agencies, including the Kota Tinggi Civil Defence Force, Royal Malaysia Police, Village Development and Security Committee, and Irrigation and Drainage Department.

The Mersing Public Works Department said on Facebook that Jalan Jemaluang-Mersing (FT003 Section 130-129, in front of SMK Anjung Batu) was flooded and opened only to heavy vehicles.

It said light vehicles would have to use the alternative Jalan Jemaluang/Kota Tinggi-Jalan Sri Pantai-Jalan Sekakap route to Mersing town. – Bernama, January 1, 2018.