THE number of flood victims in Sabah and Pahang continued to increase, Johor recorded a drop and the numbers in Sarawak remained unchanged as at 8pm.

IN PAHANG, the number of evacuees in the Rompin district increased to 323 people from 97 families at three temporary flood relief centres, compared with 320 people from 96 families this afternoon.

The State Disaster Management Committee secretariat reported that the shelter in Kampung Setajam was accommodating the highest number of victims at 161, Balai Raya Rekoh housing 122 victims and Balai Raya Bukit Lepas has 40 victims.

The Social Welfare Department’s portal said operations at Balai Raya Perwira Jaya. which was opened on Tuesday, has been closed after the remaining seven victims from two families returned home this afternoon. 

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s official portal, publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my reported that the water level in Sungai Keratong, Rompin was still at the danger level at 24.97m tonight.

IN SABAH, the number of victims in three districts increased to 6,394 people from (2,281 families) sheltered at 24 centres, compared with 6,331 people from (2,168 families) in the afternoon.

The State Disaster Management Committee secretariat, in a statement, said the highest number of victims are in Kota Marudu with 4,789 people (1,731 families) at 12 shelters in the district.

“A total of 1,133 people (423 families) are housed at four shelters in Pitas, 472 people (127 families) were evacuated to eight centres in Paitan. The number of flood victims in Pitas and Paitan is expected to increase while the number is expected to remain unchanged in Kota Marudu,” said the statement.

The statement added that flood victims at two districts – Kudat and Lahad Datu – were allowed to return home from after the three centres were closed at 8pm tonight.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in a statement today, has forecast thunderstorms in the interiors of Sabah, namely Sipitang, Tenom and Nabawan, tonight.

IN JOHOR, the number of victims at shelters continued to drop with 4,575 people recorded as at 8pm compared with 5,427 people in the afternoon.

The committee informed that 48 centres were still operating in seven districts with 1,266 families taking shelter.

Mersing is the worst-hit district in the state with 1,589 people, Kluang (1,173), Kota Tinggi (857), Segamat (490), Batu Pahat (327), Muar (121) and Pontian (18).

Meanwhile, the water level at four rivers in the state has surpassed the danger level with Sungai Muar at Sungai Gemas, Segamat recording a reading of 19.28m; Sungai Kahang at Kampung Contoh, Kluang (15.82m); Sungai Endau, Mersing (2.77m); and Sungai Lenik Ladang Chaah, Segamat (7.14m).

IN SARAWAK, the number of flood victims remained at 56 people from 17 families who are sheltered at two centres in the Lundu and Sematan districts as at 7pm. 

According to secretariat, two shelters at SK Sebat and Balai Raya Kampung Sebat Dayak were housing 39 and 17 victims.

MetMalaysia today forecast thunderstorms at several areas of Sarawak, especially Kuching, Sri Aman, Betong, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang. – Bernama, January 26, 2023.