THE number of people seeking shelter from rising flood waters spiralled to 27,467 this morning, with Johor, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and Malacca continuing to record more evacuees arriving at shelters.

In JOHOR, the state disaster management committee (SDMC) said the number of evacuees had doubled, with 25,213 people in relief centres this morning, compared to 9,162 at 8pm last night, with Batu Pahat being the 10th and latest district affected.

“Segamat is the worst affected, with 2,050 families evacuated to 55 relief centres, followed by Kluang with 1,559 families at 39 centres; Kota Tinggi with 769 families at 18 centres; Johor Baru with 607 at 12 centres and Pontian involving 58 families at five centres,” the SDMC said in a statement today.

Also affected is Muar, with 445 families housed at 12 centres; Kulai (242 families at six centres); Mersing (146 families at five centres); and Tangkak (254 families at 13 centres); and Batu Pahat (883 families at 22 centres).

Water levels for 17 rivers in Segamat, Muar, Tangkak, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Mersing were reported to have exceeded danger level, including Sungai Muar (37.7m in Segamat Kecil and 20.9m in Kampung Awat) and Sungai Siam (Kulai) at 21m.

In PAHANG, the number of evacuees rose more than four-fold to 1,375 people, housed at 26 relief centres across five districts.

According to the Social Welfare Department, there were 627 evacuees in Rompin, followed by Maran (489), Jerantut (94), Pekan (88) and Raub (77).

In Negri Sembilan, Civil Defence Force director Mohd Nazri Mes Kam said 704 people were in 10 shelters as of 4am today: SK Londah, Balai Raya Pasir Besar, SK Sungai Kelamah, SK Gedok and SKA Rakyat Felda Jelai 4 in Tampin; SK Felda Palong 7, SK Felda Palong 1 and SJKT Ladang Sialang in Jempol; as well as Dewan Desa Dangi and SK Kuala Pilah in Kuala Pilah.

In SABAH, the SDMC secretariat said 108 people remained in a centre at Dewan Mini Kampung Simpang Entilibon in Tongod this morning.

In MALACCA, there were 67 people seeking shelter at 8am today.

The SDMC said all the victims have been evacuated to three relief centres: Balai Raya Bukit Tambun in Alor Gajah, as well as SK Asahan and SK Chohong in Jasin. – Bernama, March 2, 2023.