Update: Jan 14 2007....FOR the latest PART 4 Go H E RE for (floods report & Pics during from Jan 12 2007 to current… MORE PICS – JOHORE Flooded Again – 2nd TIME in Weeks; 1 Week Rainfall Fell on Thursday; BATU PAHAT Dam 1 m above Danger Level; MORE Rain Expected till Monday
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MORE PICTURES – FLOODS UPDATE: TNB LIGHTS UP Kota Tinggi & Surrounding Areas; Overall Situation Improves In Johore; Rrecurrence of FLOODS LIKELY With Rains Forecast
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Continue on Part 2 H E R E under heading below
MORE PICS–(Part 2) FLOODS in JOHORE; 2nd More HEAVY RAIN Forecast; NEW Books ALLOWANCE-Primary (RM100); Secondary (RM200); Still BAD - Muar and Batu Pahat; New Policy For Disasters Soon
UPDATE: Dec 27 06, Mon 0340am
December 25, 2006 21:35 PM
ABOVE: An aerial view of flooded Muar on Monday, 25th Dec 2006
Flood Situation In Muar And Batu Pahat Receding
BATU PAHAT, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- The flood situations in Johor, particularly Muar and Batu Pahat, are showing signs of improvement as water levels at two of the three dams are back to normal. Those with normal water levels are Bekok Dam in Segamat and Machap Dam in Simpang Renggam, while the Sembrong Dam in Kluang is still at a dangerous level. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the development was comforting as the flood in Muar was due to the river overflow from Segamat which has flooded several areas in Seri Medan, Parit Sulong and Yong Peng.
The overflow from Sembrong Dam had flooded settlement areas in Parit Raja even though there was no rain in Johor in the past two days, he said. "The rain clouds' movement is slow from east to west Johor, allowing no rainfall in the state in this past two days," he told a press conference, here Monday. He said current developments had allowed 26,700 flood victims from the 60,000 people at the relief centres in Johor to return homes thus, reducing the number of such centres in operations to 238 units in the state.
The situations in Kota Tinggi, Segamat, Pontian, Johor Baharu, Mersing and Kluang were almost normal, particularly in Johor Baharu, he said. Abdul Ghani said the water levels at rivers in Johor were also receding except for Sungai Muar which was still at a dangerous level. He also said that water supply in Muar had not returned to normal as some water treatment plants could not function without electricity. A Bernama survey at the flood relief centre at Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Chong Hwa in Sri Medan, near here area found that the number of evacuees there had increased to 359 people with five new members added today. Another relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Medan had provided temporary homes for 378 people since last Friday. The two schools are among the six flood victim relief centres in Sri Medan. According to a Johor Welfare Services Department spokesman, so far 20,506 flood victims in the area have returned to their homes.
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Monday December 25, 2006; STAR
Electricity supply to Kota Tinggi restored
KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd has restored electricity supply to the Kota Tinggi area, which was interrupted for more than 12 hours on Sunday. In a press statement Monday, TNB said supply was normalised at 11pm Sunday night following the completion of major repair works involving the main transmission line supplying power to Kota Tinggi and the surrounding areas. The transmission line to Kota Tinggi was severely damaged following a landslide that took place at SK Taman Bukit Tiram, 15km away. TNB had on Sunday cut the power supply to the Kota Tinggi area to allow its engineers to dismantle the damaged transmission tower and install a temporary tower. The repair works involved engineers and technicians from three states, who worked around the clock. TNB said that with the restoration of power to Kota Tinggi, the number of shutdown substations nationwide has been reduced from 790 on Sunday night to 317 as at 2pm Monday. The substations that remain offline are in Johor (295), Malacca (14) and Pahang (8). The substations shut down in Johor are in Johor Baru (2), Kota Tinggi (24), Muar (152), Segamat (40), Kluang (2), Batu Pahat (74) and Mersing (1). TNB had said on Sunday that a full restoration of supply was expected to take months.
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Floods update: Situation in Johor improves; By MEERA VIJAYAN; STAR
ABOVE : Part of Johore flooded initially
SEGAMAT: The flood situation in most districts in Johor is improving as the number of evacuees at relief centres continues to drop. Johor Baru closed all its relief centres. The number of evacuees in Muar and Batu Pahat were 20,412 and 24,816 respectively. The number of evacuees in the state stands at 59,306 in 227 relief centres. Although Kota Tinggi and Segamat are accessible, a few roads remain cut off. The death toll from the floods stands at eight. Meanwhile, the number of evacuees in Pekan, Pahang rose to 1,165 from 1,138 at 17 relief centres. A state police flood operations room spokesman said there were four relief centres operating in the district including two that were opened Sunday night and Monday morning respectively. He said there were a total of 2,435 evacuees statewide.
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Looters caught red-handed in Kota Tinggi; STAR Dec 25 06
KOTA TINGGI: Seven people, including four teenagers, were caught red-handed for looting here. Kota Tinggi Deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Muhammad Shamsudin said that the four teenagers, aged between 17 and 18, were arrested at around 6.30pm last Friday while trying to break into a vehicle that was left near a gas station in Jalan Johor. The other three were caught at around 3.30pm on Saturday while attempting to steal mobile phones from shop in Jalan Tambatan. All the arrests were made after the public tipped off policemen who were conducting patrols in the area. “Police patrols will also be increased near schools and residential areas to control looting,” he said, adding that looters tended to target schools as there were a lot of computers there. DSP Muhammad said that some 40 personnel from the Fifth Battalion of the General Task Force in Simpang Renggam would be deployed to help with crime prevention patrols. He also said all leave for police in the district had been frozen. DSP Muhammad reminded parents to look after their young children and ensure they did not play in floodwaters. “We don’t want any child to drown,” he said.= = = = = = = == = =
December 25, 2006 12:07 PM
Christians In Segamat Celebrate A Sombre Christmas
SEGAMAT, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- Christians in Segamat celebrated a sombre Christmas this year in the wake of the devastating floods that had paralaysed the town. Missing were the Christmas carols where Christians would go to the homes of their members, especially those in the need, on Christmas eve to sing carols.
Pastor Yin Tong Joo from the Chinese Methodist Church in Jalan Aji here said that church members were too busy this time to go carolling which they would normally do on Dec 22 and 23 every year.About 30 families from the church were affected by the floods and most of them were now staying with their relatives and other church members, he told Bernama today. Among the activities of the church this Christmas was to help the affected members clean up their homes.
ABOVE & BELOW: The clean up times after the flood has receeded
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ABOVE & BELOW: After cleaning up, it is sorting out now
Meanwhile, the major newspapers like The Star and Utusan Malaysia were back on the news-stands here Monday after an absence of nearly a week. ewspapers vendors said that these newspapers had stopped coming in since last Tuesday when the major roads to the town were cut off by the flood waters. The Chinese and Tamil newspapers made a faster comeback last Thursday. Nearly all the newspapers sold like hot cakes and most were sold out by early morning, grabbed by the news-hungry townsfolk.
= = = = == = = = =Monday December 25, 2006; STAR
TNB will take months to restore supply to flood-hit areas; By IZATUN SHARI
PETALING JAYA: After the devastation brought by the rains, flood victims now have to brace themselves for another blow – they may have to go without power for the next few months. Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has admitted that it was ill-prepared for the floods and will need time to complete repairs and restore electricity supply to all affected areas. A total of 788 substations, mostly in Johor, have been closed down as of noon yesterday, affecting some 75,000 households. TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said more substations would be shut down should the floods worsen. “The flood is the worst experienced by TNB over the last 30 years,” he told a press conference yesterday after a meeting on supply in flood-hit areas in Johor, Malacca, Pahang and Negri Sembilan. Che Khalib said full restoration of supply would take months. TNB, he said, had received many calls asking why power supply could not be restored immediately after the waters had gone down. “We want to restore supply as soon as possible but it will be difficult because the substations are located in flooded areas,” he noted. Che Khalib said TNB closed down a damaged transmission tower in Kota Tinggi because the ground it stood on was getting soft due to the floods. This caused a total power shutdown in the town and surrounding areas. TNB, he said, estimated that the damage from the floods would cost it RM10mil, with RM5mil going to equipment and the rest for clean-up and to restore supply. He said TNB had deployed at least 60 personnel from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru to speed up the restoration of electricity to users. Customers would have their
meters replaced for free and should contact the nearest TNB office when the flood situation improved. “We can install the meters within one day,” he said. Customers returning to their homes after the floods are advised to seek help from authorised contractors to
inspect wiring in their houses to ensure it is safe to use.
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December 25, 2006 18:35 PM
Forecast Of Recurence Of Flooding In Johor, Pahang
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- The situation in the flood-stricken areas in Johor, Melaka, Pahang and Terengganu generally improved this afternoon but ironically a recurrence of floods is looming. The Meteorological Department forecast continuous rain in eastern Johor and Pahang which would last until next Wednesday. There was no sign that the prevailing rain in eastern Johor was stopping as active formation of black cloud patches were spotted moving in the south-easterly direction, it said. The department also forecast heavy downpour in Pahang, Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan during the same period. In JOHOR, the number of people at relief centres dropped to 65,223 this afternoon, from 65,534 in the morning, with more people returning home since two days ago.
A Johor Social Welfare Department spokesman said Muar recorded the highest number of evacuees with 25,516 people, followed by Batu Pahat (20,506), Kota Tinggi (7,419), Kluang (2,137), Segamat (7,522), Pontian (1,309) and Mersing (790) while 24 victims were still sheltered in Johor Baharu. The situation in Pahang is improving with the number of people at relief centres dropping to 2,064 from 2,435.
ABOVE & BELOW: Segamat flooded at the early part
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In TERENGGANU, all relief centres and flood operations room were closed with the last batch of 26 victims having returned home. Only Jalan Cukai-Air Putih, Kemaman, was closed to traffic as water rose to 1.2m at certain stretches this morning, said a Terengganu police flood operations room spokesman. In MELAKA, the number of people still seeking refuge at 22 relief centres in the state dropped to 5,116 at noon today compared with 5,972 this morning. The Meteorological Department also warned of strong winds and rough seas as high as 3.5m in the east coast waters of the peninsular, Sarawak and western Sabah which would persist until Sunday. The sea condition would be dangerous to small boats, it said.
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December 25, 2006 11:20 AM
More Flood Evacuees In Johor Go Home
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 25 (bernama) -- The situation in flood-hit Johor is improving with the number of evacuees dropping to 65,534 Monday morning, compared with 72,109 Sunday night but Muar registered an increase. A state Social Welfare Department spokesman said the number in Muar, the district with the most evacuees, climbed to 25,191 from 23,685 last night. The situation in Batu Pahat remained unchanged with 20,506 victims in the relief centres while in Johor Baharu, where the weather is bright and clear, there were still 24 evacuees. Kota Tinggi had 7,832 evacuees, Kluang (2,137), Segamat (7,522), Pontian (1,309) and Mersing (1,013). A total of 190 relief centres had been closed, leaving 270 still open, he said. In Kluang, despite the fine weather, the reading at the Machap Dam was still at the danger level at 17.34m while that in Sungai Mengkibol was at the alert level at 23.82m and Sungai Kahang registered a reading of 8.43m, which is above the danger level of 7m, according to a spokesman of the Kluang Drainage and Irrigation Department. A Kluang police flood operations room spokesman said Jalan Kluang heading towards Mersing through Felda Nitar was still closed at Km115 and motorists were advised to use Jalan Kluang-Jemaluang to get to Mersing while one lane on the stretch heading towards Segamat through the Lam Lee area has been opened to light vehicles.
In Batu Pahat, a district Information Department spokesman said the reading at the Bekok Dam was at the danger level of 18.84m. Although several areas were still flooded, all roads leading in and out of the town have been opened to all traffic. In Kota Tinggi, a police flood operations room spokesman said the town was still under 0.2m to 0.5m of water and the skies were cloudy. Sungai Johor was at the warning level with a reading of 2.55m at 7am, still below the danger level of 2.8m. In PAHANG, Pekan district registered a rise in the number of evacuees to 1,165, from 1,138 last night. A state police flood operations room spokesman said there were four relief centres operating in the district including two which were opened last night and this morning. He said there were now 2,435 flood victims in 17 relief centres in the state compared with 2,408 last night. Apart from Pekan, Kuantan had 74 and Rompin, 1,196.
Meanwhile, in TERENGGANU,there were only 26 flood victims left in the relief centres as at 8am today compared with 92 last night. A state police operations room spokesman said only the road from Cukai to Air Putih, Kemaman, was still closed to all vehicles because it was under 1.2m of water while all the major rivers in the state were under the alert level as the weath cleared up this morning. In MELAKA, a state police flood operations room spokesman said the number of evacuees had dropped to 5,968 from 8,796 last night with Jasin having the highest number at 4,644, followed by Melaka Tengah (1,311) and Alor Gajah (13).
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December 25, 2006 17:34 PM
Flood Victims Told To Report Losses To Police Immediately
MELAKA, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- Flood victims in Melaka have been told to submit reports on their losses to the police immediately so that the state government could extend compassionate aid to them.
Melaka State Secretary Datuk Wira Ismail Saleh (ABOVE) said they could get the forms from nearby police stations, flood evacuation centres or police patrol cars that passed through their areas. "The completed forms should be submitted to the police stations or the evacuation centres," he told reporters after the Melaka Disaster Management Special Meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, at Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh, near here Monday. Some 13,800 people in Melaka had been evacuated since the state was hit by flood last Monday. The flood situation was reported to have improved, and as of this afternoon, there were only 3,919 evacuees at relief centres in Jasin, 1,180 in Melaka Tengah, and 17 in Alor Gajah. Ismail said so far, the state government had paid a total of RM623,600 to 3,118 families who were affected by the flood.
ABOVE & BELOW: Flood victims in a relief centre in Malacca
He said other government departments like the Public Works Department, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department and local authorities were assessing the damages and losses in the flood-hit areas. Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) will donate RM50,000 to the TV3 Flood Victims Fund to ease the plight of the flood victims in the country. Works Minister and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu told Bernama today that the party was saddened by the flood situation and wanted to help the flood victims. He urged the public to lend a helping hand, and advised the flood victims to remain patient. Meanwhile, non-governmental organisation Aman Malaysia today launched a humanitarian and medical mission to help flood victims at relief centres in Johor. Its Coordinator Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the mission will focus on flood-hit areas in Segamat, Batu Pahat and Muar. He said doctors from the organisation would set up mobile clinics, which would provide vaccination and monitoring services, at these centres, while Aman Malaysia volunteers would distribute food, blankets and towels to the victims. The mission is participated by four doctors and medical assistants as well as 25 volunteers. They have set up a temporary operation centre in Batu Pahat and will commence operation this Wednesday. For more details, the public can contact the humanitarian mission chief Azizul Kamar Abdul Rahman at 016-208 5888 or the medical mission chief Dr Mohamed Kassim Abdul Rahim at 019-611 4302.
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December 25, 2006 19:29 PM
Crocodile Farm Denies Its Reptiles Are On The Loose
KOTA TINGGI, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- The
Teluk Sengat crocodile farm, Monday
denied rumours that some of its reptiles had escaped from their cages due to the unexpected flood in Johor. Its spokesman said the farm and the crocodile cages there were not even flooded. "As such, it is not possible that our crocodiles have escaped," he told Bernama, here Monday. It was reported Sunday that villages in the Kota Tinggi area had
claimed that 15 crocodiles from the farm were on the loose after escaping from their cages.
There are about 500 crocodiles in the farm, which are bred for their meat and skin. Rumour has it today that villagers at Kampung Tembiuh, near here shot at least two crocodiles roaming in the area. However, Kota Tinggi District Deputy Police Chief DSP Muhammad Samsuddin when contacted said the police had not received any reports on such killing. Johor Lama Assemblywoman Asiah Ariff said she had not also received any information on villagers shooting the reptiles.
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UPDATE: DEC 25 2006 Mon, 04.45 pm
December 25, 2006 00:08 AM
Situation In Flood-Stricken Areas Improves Further
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The situation in the flood-stricken areas in Johor, Melaka, Pahang and Terengganu improved generally Sunday night but ironically the number of evacuees increased in Muar and Batu Pahat in Johor and Pekan in Pahang. In JOHOR, the number of people at relief centres increased to 72,109 tonight from 66,322 this evening after the situation worsened in Muar and Batu Pahat. A spokesman of the Johor Welfare Services Department said Muar recorded the highest number of victims taking refuge, with 23,685 people tonight, compared to 22,933 people this morning. The situation in Batu Pahat worsened, with the number of people at relief centres going up to 20,506 tonight compared to 18,122 this evening. Kota Tinggi had 11,860 people at relief centres, Kluang 5,209, Segamat 8,587, Johor Baharu 198, Pontian 1,359 and Mersing 790. In Kluang, although the weather was fine, the water level at Machap Dam was still at the danger point of 17.46 metres, having dropped from the 17.53 metres Sunday morning. The stretch of Jalan Kluang-Mersing at Km 115 via Felda Nitar is still closed to traffic while Jalan Kluang-Segamat via the Lam Lee area is only passable to heavy vehicles. Motorists intending to go to Mersing are advised to use Jalan Kluang-Jemaluang, according to the Kluang Information Office. In Batu Pahat, the second worst-affected district in Johor, the water level at the Bekok Dam was also at the danger point, at 18.84 metres. However, all roads leading to Batu Bahat are passable to traffic. A spokesman of the Kota Tinggi Police flood operations room said the entire Kota Tinggi town was still inundated although the rain had stopped. In MELAKA, there was an improvement in the situation in the flood-affected areas Sunday night, with the number of evacuees at the 27 relief centres in the state dropping to 8,796 from 9,008 this evening. The weather was fine throughout the day Sunday. A spokesman of the state flood operations room said Jasin District had the most number of evacuees at 4,970, Melaka Tengah had 3,789 and Alor Gajah 37. He said 17 relief centres were closed Sunday after the evacuees were allowed to return to their homes. In PAHANG, the situation in two districts -- Rompin and Kuantan -- was returning to normal but Pekan district saw an increase in the number of evacuees. A spokesman of the Pekan District police flood operations room said 1,138 people were at relief centres compared to 1,132 Sunday evening. In Kuantan, 1,566 evacuees at two relief centres were allowed to return to their homes while 74 still remain at one more centre. In Rompin, 1,196 evacuees still remain at 12 relief centres. In TERENGGANU, the situation is almost back to normal as only 92 evacuees remain at relief centres. A spokesman of the state police flood operations room said the number had dropped from 176 Sunday morning after several people were allowed to return home Sunday evening. He said only Jalan Chukai to Air Putih, Kemaman, remained closed to all traffic as it was still flooded, to a depth of 1.2 metres.
He also said that the levels of all the main rivers in Terengganu had dropped to the alert point following easing of rain over the last two days.
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Corporate Firms Do Their Bit For Flood Victims
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The corporate sector has been discharging its social responsibility in helping the victims of the floods that swept through southern Peninsular Malaysia this week and sent almost 90,000 people to relief centres at its height. Several companies have come forward to donate in cash and kind to augment the assistance provided by the government in bringing relief to the victims, mainly in Johor. UEM Land Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UEM World Bhd, has extended assistance in the form of dry foods and bottled water, toiletries, towels, mats and blankets to the flood victims in Johor.
ABOVE : The flooded victims welcomed the sound and sight of a helic0pter and it comes with a great feal of goodies (BELOW)
Biscuits, packet drinks, disposable diapers for children, instant noodles, mineral water, tooth brushes and tooth paste, bath soaps, towels and other basic items valued at about RM50,000 were dispatched to the victims yesterday, said Mohd Auzir Mohd Tahir, Chief Executive Officer of Cahaya Jauhar Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture company between UEM Land and the Johor state government that is developing Johor's new administrative centre in Nusajaya.
ABOVE & BELOW: All hands are on deck to help to carry the goods back to the relief centre
"More than 1,000 blankets and towels have also been sent to the flood victims in the affected areas in Johor. We are doing out best to provide relief to those who have been evacuated from their homes. "As a responsible corporate citizen, which is sensitive to the needs of our immediate community, the UEM Group as a whole will take the responsibility to lighten the stress of victims being displaced from their homes and provide as much basic comfort as we can," he said here today.
He said that in his capacity as Director of Flood Relief Assistance for UEM Land, in addition to UEM Land's contribution to the flood victims, the company has also set up a relief centre right in the heart of its office in Nusajaya to manage the distribution of goods to the affected areas. In PETALING JAYA, logistics operator Kontena Nasional Bhd has mobilised its fleet of containers to ferry aid-laden consignments to the flood-ravaged areas, especially in Johor, on a daily basis until the situation improves. The company started deploying its fleet yesterday, and carried aid consignments of Puteri Umno to Johor. Kontena Nasional on Sunday mobilised its 40-foot containers to ferry 25 tonnes of shipment to Pagoh, Pontian, Kluang and Batu Pahat. The goods, valued at RM150,000, included essential items, cooking oil, mattresses, mobile gas cookers and clothing. Joining the convoy in the aid distribution were NCB Holdings Bhd Director Datuk Zuraidah Atan and Kontena Nasional Chief Executive Azmin Yusoff. Kontena Nasional is a member of the NCB group of companies. "We will send everyday. We will help as much as we can," said Zuraidah when met prior to her departure at the Kontena Nasional office in Petaling Jaya Sunday. The Kontena Nasional office as well as the multipurpose hall at Parliament and the Puteri Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur are the collection centres for donations. Zuraidah said people who want to donate could contact Kontena Nasional at 03 - 78761933 or NCB Holdings at 03 - 31698600. "Some (of them) sound desperate. They even said that they need it (aid) now, not tomorrow," she said. She said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's political secretary Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh had informed her that Pagoh was in dire need of mobile water tanks, mobile water pumps and mobile generator sets as the constituency has been out of electricity and water.
Also in PETALING JAYA, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) said it donated RM500,000 to the TV3 Flood Fund Sunday.= = = = = =
UPDATE: DEC 24 2006 Sun, 23.45 pm
December 24, 2006 19:45 PM Situation In Flood-hit Johor Improving
BATU PAHAT, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The situation in flood-hit Johor is improving with 15,000 of the 75,000 victims at the relief centres being allowed to return home today. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the improvement in the situation saw the closure of 140 relief centres, leaving 264 still in operation catering to some 60,000 victims. Most of the victims who were allowed to return home were from Johor Baharu, Kota Tinggi, Segamat, Pontian, Kluang and Mersing as the water levels in these areas had subsided. The water levels of the rivers in Kluang and Kota Tinggi had returned to normal, while that in Segamat was dropping to a non-danger level, he told reporters after a briefing on the situation in Batu Pahat.
ABOVE & BELOW: The power boats were the "private taxis" during the floods
But more are going to relief centres in Muar & Batu Pahat & Pekan in Pahang
Abdul Ghani, however, expected that it would take another week for the situations in Batu Pahat and Muar to return to normal as the two districts had taken water from the overflow of the rivers as well water that was automatically released from the dams once the level rose above normal.= = = = == = = ==
December 24, 2006 20:59 PM
Muddy Water Irks Muar Resident
ABOVE & BELOW: Relief supplies distributed and murky water supplied to prepare & cook them??
MUAR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- Relief turned to despair for residents here when the reconnected piped water supplied by Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) turned out to be muddy with traces of oil. Muhammad Abdullah, 65, from Parit Setongkat said it was unreasonable for SAJ to supply dirty water as it can spread disease and lead to skin problems. "I am disappointed with SAJ for supplying muddy water that is unfit for drinking and daily use. Imagine giving babies milk mixed with this dirty water," he told Bernama here Sunday.
A Bernama check at Parit Setongkat showed large crowds waiting for water tankers to arrive as supply had been disrupted for three days. S. Rajendran, 43, claimed that SAJ and the Muar Municipal Council were not bothered by their plight although residents made numerous calls for water to be sent. "We were informed that the water tankers will arrive today but then we had to wait for four hours," he added. Bernama has been told that the water supply was disrupted when the pumps at the water treatment plants failed because of the floods.
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December 24, 2006 21:16 PM
No Cholera Risk In Segamat
SEGAMAT, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- Segamat Member of Parliament Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam Sunday dismissed talk of three cholera cases in Segamat, saying residents of the town are at no risk from the disease. He said though there has been a disruption in piped water supply, it was only temporary. "Water supply and sanitation here are good and normal. People need not panic," he said.
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December 24, 2006 20:59 PM
Flood Victims Thankful For Hotel's Hospitality
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- After having had to endure the agony of giving birth during the floods and staying at a relief centre for three days, Zalina Jaafar was fortunate to be a guest at the five-star Puteri Pacific Hotel here -- thanks to Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris, wife of the Tengku Mahkota of Johor.
Raja Zarith Sofia took pity on Zalina, 35, who had to care for her sixth child when she visited the relief centre at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsan (Cina) Pu Sze here before it was closed Saturday. Zalina and her family are from Kampung Batu Laut 10, Skudai, the village worst-hit by the floods in the Johor Baharu District.
There is no more jostling for food and for the use of bathrooms and toilets for Zalina, her husband and their children. The do not even have to pay for their food and laundry, including the washing of diapers, at the hotel. Zalina, who is still weak, said she was thankful for the hotel's hospitality until next Tuesday, which came about following a suggestion by Raja Zarith Sofia to the hotel management to let her and her family stay there for a few days. "I was worried about my condition when the relief centre was closed yesterday. How am I to look after my baby when my house is in disarray after the floods and I don't have the strength to clean up the mess?" she said when met at the hotel here Sunday.
Another family accorded the hospitality was a diabetic woman, who had had both legs amputated, and her two children. Zaleha Mohd Yusop, 40, and her children, Mohd Hidayat Kanik, 13, and Mohd Hidham Kanik, 12, are staying at the hotel until next Wednesday. "I can hardly wait to use the swimming pool. It's definitely different from swimming in the Sungai Skudai behind our house," said Mohd Hidayat. Puteri Pacific Human Resource Director Mohktar Mohd Saleh said the hotel had allocated 10 rooms for five families from among the flood victims, especially those who were old, disabled and women who had just delivered.
= = = == = = = = ===December 24, 2006 17:41 PM
Crocodile Threat Looms For Flood Victims
MUAR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The residents of Parit Ponorogo in Jalan Tangkak claimed that besides the flood waters they have to contend with the threat of crocodiles which had escaped with the rising water from a nearby farm. Mukim Kesang headman Ishak Abu Bakar said the villagers told him that some 15 crocodiles from the farm were roaming free in the flood waters. "They have noted the presence of a three-metre crocodile in Buku Hijau and Tanjung Gading three days ago. "In addition to the 15 loose reptiles, the presence of wild crocodiles from Sungai Kesang is also felt whenever the river overflows," he told Bernama here. According to Ishak, the crocodiles were said to be roaming in Mukim Serom, Mukim Sungai Mati, Kundang and Teluk Rimba right up to Kampung Seri Makmur in Tangkak which were under up to 2m of water as a result of the floods. He said the local authority had been informed of the situation.
= = = = == = = = = =UPDATE: DEC 24 2006 Sat, 19.45 pm
Watch out , qnother big problem is Crocodiles in Malacca & in several mukims in Tangkak Some have escaped from the Crocodile farm and are reported to be seen in a number of places.Vegetable prices in some places have doubled. Chilli from RM5-6/kg to RM11/12 per kg.
December 24, 2006 19:44 PM
Report Traders Raising Prices In Flood-hit States Advice
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs today advised the people in the flood-hit states to report traders who raise prices indiscriminately. Deputy Minister Datuk S. Veerasingam said officers from the ministry would act against these errant traders as they were monitoring the food supply situation in those states. "Under the current situation, unscrupulous traders will raise the prices of goods indiscriminately when the demand for food, drinks and clothing is very strong," he said when contacted by Bernama, here.
The people can lodge complaints by contacting the ministry's operations room at Putrajaya (03-8882 6085 or 03-8882 6088), Kuantan (09-5121235), Johor Baharu (07-2272828), Muar (06-9521094 or 06-9521021) and Melaka (06-2883002). Requests and complaints can also be made on the ministry's consumer service line at 1800-886-800.
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December 24, 2006 18:17 PM
Situation In Flood Stricken Areas Improve
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The situation in flood-stricken areas in Johor, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan generally continued to improve in the afternoon with more evacuees returning home. The weather is reported to be fine in all the affected states with the exception of eastern Johor and south-eastern Pahang where moderate intermittent rain is now occurring, according to the Meteorological Department which forcast the rain to continue until next Wednesday.
More victims left the relief centres in Johor with 66,322 people still in the shelters compared with 69,789 this morning. Muar still has the biggest number of evacuees 22,933, followed by Batu Pahat, where the situation has deteriorated, with 18,122 this afternoon compared with 14,808 in the morning. The flood assessment readings at the Machap Dam and Sungai Kahang were at the danger level at 17.46m and 8.9m respectively while the reading at Sungai Mengkibol was at the warning level of 24m. Jalan Kluang heading toward Mersing via Felda Nitar at km115 is still closed to traffic and motorists have to use Jalan Kluang-Jemaluang to go to the town while Jalan Kluang to Segamat through Lam Lee is only passable to heavy vehicles. In Melaka, the number of victims at relief centres dropped 9,414 people this afternoon compared with 9,780 in the morning with the highest number of victims still at Jasin (5,208), followed by Melaka Tengah (4,169) and Alor Gajah (37).
The situation also improved in Pahang with 4,397 people still taking shelter compared with 5,763 this morning. In Rompin, 280 of the 1,902 evacuees were allowed to return home and five relief centres were closed while in Kuantan two relief centres were closed leaving 1,640 people at three other centres. In Pekan, 1,135 people were still at the relief centres as the Sungai Pahang water level in Pekan district was rising due to high volume of water from the upper reaches of the river reaching the estuary. As a result, Jalan Pelak Belimbing at km13 is under 1.45 metre of water and closed to all traffic while Jalan Ganchong at km13 is under 0.4m and is closed to light vebhicles. In Terengganu, life is returning to normal all all the victims in Kuala Kemaman have returned home in stages since 9 am. Until noon, only 176 victims were still at the Kuala Terengganu relief centre. Jalan Tok Kah to Jerangau, Dungun, was reopened this morning while Jalan Chukai to Air Putih, Kemaman, which is still under 1.5m of water is still closed to all traffic. Thec water levels of the major rivers in Terengganu are under the alert zone while in Kelantan the readings at the main rivers were at the alert level. The last batch of 32 flood victims from a few villages in Gua Musang returned home two days ago.= = = = = = = == =
December 24, 2006 11:27 AM
69,789 Flood Victims Still At Relief Centres In Johor
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The number of flood evacuees in Johor has started to drop with 69,789 still at the relief centres as at 8am Sunday compared with 77,699 Saturday last. A state Social Welfare Department spokesman said that in Muar district, which had the most evacuees, the number had dropped to 22,273 compared with 22,604 Saturday but Batu Pahat registered an increase to 14,808. There were now 11,860 evacuees in Kota Tinggi district, Segamat (10,609), Kluang (5,209), Johor Baharu (2,873), Pontian (1,612) and Mersing (545), he said. Meanwhile, a Kluang Information Office spokesman said more relief centres were expected to be closed following the fine weather Sunday morning. However, the water level at the Machap Dam was at 17.53m, which is above the danger zone of 17.4m, and Sungai Kahang was also at the danger level at 8.98m while Sungai Mengkibol was at the warning level at 24.01m, he said. The road from Kluang to Mersing through Felda Nitar was still closed at Km115 while that to Segamat through the Lam Lee area was only passable to heavy vehicles, he said, adding that motorists could use Jalan Kluang-Jemalung as an alternative route to get to Mersing. In Kota Tinggi, a police flood operations room spokesman said the whole of Kota Tinggi town was still flooded. Jalan Kota Tinggi towards Mersing, Kluang and Desaru was now open to all traffic while only one lane of Jalan Kota Tinggi-Johor Baharu was open after a minor landslide in Taman Saujana, he added. In Segamat, the weather is fine this morning and Health Minister and Labis MP Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek is scheduled to visit the flood victims in Chaah and Segamat.
In PAHANG, the number of flood evacuees rose to 5,763 this morning, from 5,713 Saturday night. A state police operations room spokesman said, however, that the number of flood victims in Kuantan dropped slightly to 2,726 from 2,749 while in Rompin district there was no change at 1,902. In Pekan, the number rose from 1,063 to 1,135 of which 1,133 were at the relief centre in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bebar and two at the newly opened centre at the Mercu Community Hall, Nenasi. In MELAKA, a state flood operations room spokesman said the flood waters were receding and the number of evacuees had dropped to 9,780 compared with 12,373 last night, with Melaka Tengah district registering 4,264, Jasin 5,419 and Alor Gajah 97. He said all the road that were closed were no open to all vehicles.
In TERENGGANU, there were 252 people in relief centres in two district in the state compared with 249 last night. A state police operations room spokesman said the number comprised 173 people in Kuala Terengganu and 79 in Kemaman who were all actually victims of tidal waves and not the floods.
He said the road from Cukai to Air Putih, Kemaman, and from Tok Kah to Jerangau, Dungun, were still closed to light vehicles because they were under 0.5m to 1.5m of water. He said it had stopped raining in the state since last night and the water levels of major rivers were at the normal level.
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December 23, 2006 23:39 PM
Floods In Johor Still Bad, Death Toll Rises, Number Of Evacuees Up
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The situation in flood-hit Johor remained bad Saturday night, with the death toll rising to seven and the number of evacuees increasing to 77,699. The body of a Nepali man, Chandra Bahadur Kharki, 24, was recovered in Kota Tinggi town at about 4 pm Saturday. A spokesman of the Welfare Services Department said Muar District in Johor had the most number of evacuees, 22,604, as at 8 pm. However, their number was down from 22,920 Saturday evening. He also said that Batu Pahat District had 14,808 evacuees, Kota Tinggi 11,890, Kluang 10,534, Segamat 10,609, Pontian 3,866, Johor Baharu 2,873 and Mersing 545. In Muar, road links in four towns -- Bukit Kepong, Lenga, Panchor and Kundang -- remained cut off since Friday.
In Kota Tinggi, a spokesman of the police operations room said the level of the Sungai Johor was still at the danger point but the Jalan Kota Tinggi-Desaru near Felda Air Tawar 3 has been reopened to traffic. In Kluang, a spokesman of the Kluang District Information Department said the stretch of Jalan Kluang-Mersing at Km 115 passing through Felda Nitar remained closed and road users have been advised to take the Kluang-Jemaluang road to Mersing. In Segamat, the level of the Sungai Segamat is almost at the bridge in the town while Kampung Abdullah in the town was still without electricity which has been disconnected in view of the floods. Following reported looting at business premises, many policemen were seen on patrol in the town Saturday night.
In PAHANG, the number of evacuees has also risen, from 5,027 Saturday evening to 5,713 Saturday night. A spokesman of the Rompin District police operations room said that up to 9.30 pm, the number of evacuees had gone up to 1,902 compared to 1,668 Saturday evening, prompting the opening of two more relief centres. The number of evacuees also went up in Pekan, to 1,063, while the number of evacuees in Kuantan was 2,749.
In MELAKA, the situation in the flood-affected areas improved Saturday night with the number of evacuees at relief centres dropping to 12,373 from 12,504 Saturday evening. A spokesman of the Melaka state flood operations room said the number of evacuees at relief centres in Melaka Tengah was 7,229, Jasin 4,997 and Alor Gajah 147.
In KELANTAN, the people of Rantau Panjang and Kota Baharu have been advised to be alert as the levels of the Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang and the Sungai Kelantan at the Customs Jetty are reported to be approaching the danger point. A spokesman of the state flood operations room advised people living along the coast to be wary of high tide reaching its maximum level Saturday night.
In TERENGGANU, the number of evacuees remained at 249 Saturday night.
A spokesman of the police operations room said that as at 8 pm, many roads had been reopened to traffic except Jalan Cukai to Air Putih, Kemaman, and Jalan Tok Kah to Jerangau, Dungun.
= = == = = == = = and WHAT happened down under in SINGAPORE?
coming......
Why Waters Overran Thomson
UPDATE: DEC 23 2006 Sat, 18.10 pm
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December 23, 2006 17:11 PM
Govt Will Give Financial Aid To Flood Victims
MELAKA, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The government will give financial aid to the flood evacuees to ease their burden, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said. The deputy prime minister said the aid would take into account damage to their houses, appliances and other considerations.
"The amount and the assessment will be conducted after the floods but the aid is not a form of compensation," he told reporters after visiting the flood victims at the relief centre in Sekolah Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Munshi Abdullah, Batu Berendam, Saturday. Najib, who is also National Disaster Management and Relief Committee chairman, said that all this while the aid given was in the form of food and equipment when the victims were evacuated to relief centres. He said that up to noon, 88,854 people had been evacuated nationwide with 71,000 in Johor, Melaka (12,416), Pahang (5,111) and Negeri Sembilan 327. He said the aid to the victims was proceeding smoothly. "This is no food supply problem in most of the relief centres. In fact, at some centres, the assistance rendered by the Malaysian Armed Forces, scouts and individuals has cheered up the mood and there is not only sufficient but also a wide variety of food for the flood victims," he said. He would continue to monitor the situation and the government welcomed contributions like blankets, mats, mattresses and women's essentials from anyone. "If there's not enough the (victims) can contact the district authorities. We have all kinds of vehicles, including 11 helicopters in Johor, to send the food," he said. He said the government had made early preparations for the floods at the national and state levels but there were some hitches on the first day because the waters rose so fast. "I spoke to several people here. They told me that previously, even when their areas were flooded, the water level only rose slightly but this time, it rose to waist level in the house within two hours. This is unsual," he said. Najib was also satisfied with the aid extended to flood victims in Melaka including the RM200 immediate aid disbursed by the state government. Asked to comment on claims that some rescue teams charged the victims to evacuate them, he said: "If there are charges, don't pay. There should be no charges, the aid is given as a service by the government agencies".
Earlier, he inspected the facilities for the evacuees at the school including the food preparation area and the sleeping quarters. Najib, who was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam, (BELOW)
also visited evacuees T.Manoharan, 45, and his wife, P.Nyanom, 39, who delivered a baby boy at the school three days ago. He also visited the flood victims in Sungai Rambai, Jasin.= = = == = = =
December 23, 2006 15:55 PM
Floods In Muar Deteriorating, Other Places Recovering
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The flood situation in Muar, Johor, has worsened with the number of evacuees rising every hour. As 12pm, 21,220 people took shelter at 89 relief centres. More people were expected to flee their homes as water levels in Sungai Muar and Sungai Kesang were still raising but Muar town had not been flooded. The skies were cloudy with intermittent heavy rain. The roads in four small towns -- Bukit Kepong, Lenga, Panchor and Kundang -- were still under water. Altogether in the state, 74,675 people from 15,143 families were at 348 relief centres. A Social Welfare Department spokesman said Kota Tinggi now had 13,112 evacuees, Kluang 11,626, Segamat 10,609, Johor Baharu 8,373, Batu Pahat 5,324, Pontian 3,866 dan Mersing 545. A spokesman of the Kluang District Information Office, said the flood situation was under control but the skies were still cloudy. He said water levels at the Machap Dam and Sungai Kahang was still above their danger points while Sungai Mengkibol was subsiding to the alert level. In Kota Tinggi and Segamat, the floods had been receding and food supplies at 27 relief centres in Kota Tinggi were sufficient. A number of residents, who had been allowed to return home, were seen busy cleaning their premises despite the intermittent light rain. In PAHANG, the number of flood evacuees in four districts was 5,113 as at noon. Kuantan, Rompin and Pekan saw more people being evacuated compared to yesterday. The flood situation in Maran was improving. Only 16 people from Kampung Ulu Luit and Kampung Bak Bak still remained at the relief centres there.
In KELANTAN, the flood situation had recovered completely and good weather had been forcast until this evening but coastal residents had been warned of the spring tide phenomenon in some places tonight. A spokesman of the State Flood Operations Room in Kota Darul Naim, said the main rivers which rose close to the danger levels yesterday, had been subsiding. Checks by Bernama at several low-laying areas along Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, namely Jeram Pedah, Kampung Siram, Jeram Perdah and Bukit Lata, showed the areas were still under water of up to 0.3 metres high. All the main roads in Gua Musang, Jeli and Pasir Puteh were opened to all vehicles. In TERENGGANU, the flood situation did not change much with the number of evacuees in Kuala Terengganu and Kemaman remaining at 222 as at 12pm. However, a number of them had gone to inspect damages at their houses, said a state police spokesman. He said the main rivers in the state had subsided to the alert levels as at 11am. In Dungun, thousands of motorists were stranded for several hours along two main roads to Kuantan near Paka that were flooded due to spring tide that began at last night. Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi advised the victims in the flood-hit states to be patient and to place their safety above everything else. The Prime Minister, who returned home today after an official visit to Venezuela, immediately headed for Johor to see the flood victims in there. "We want to ensure that everyone gets to return home safely," he told reporters after visiting the flood victims at the relief centre in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ledang in Tangkak. Abdullah also visited the flood victims taking shelter at Sekolah Kebangsaan Serom Lapan before proceeding to flood-hit areas in Melaka and Batu Pahat.
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December 23, 2006 13:53 PM
Heavy Rain To Continue In Johor
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The heavy rains occurring over Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang are expected to improve but will still persist until Sunday. The Malaysian Meteorological Department, in its weather forecast issued at 11am, said that over eastern Johor, the rains are expected to continue until Wednesday. With the improving weather conditions, the likelihood of Selangor and the Klang Valley experiencing heavy rainfall is slim. In Sarawak, Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu and Mukah divisions are expected to experience fairly widespread rains from today until Wednesday, the statement says.
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December 23, 2006 14:28 PM
Safety First, Abdullah Tells Flood Victims
TANGKAK, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Saturday advised the victims in the flood-hit states to be patient and to place their safety above everything else. He said that some might be unhappy with what was happening to their houses but in a situation like this, the important thing was their lives and they should evacuate when told to do so by the authorities. "We want to ensure that everyone gets to return home safely," he told reporters after visiting the flood victims at the relief centre in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ledang here.
ABOVE: PM Abdullah bend down to look at the cute liittle thing and had to lift him up (BELOW)
The prime minister, who returned home today after an official visit to Venezuela immediately headed for Johor to see the flood victims there. The floods in Johor, Melaka, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu had taken six lives so far, all in Johor. Abdullah said the government had arranged to send aid like food supply and other necessities to the victims. The Health Department would also ensure the health of the flood evacuees at the relief centres by inoculating them. He thanked all those involved in helping the victims since the floods started five days ago. Abdullah also visited the flood victims taking shelter at Sekolah Kebangsaan Serom Lapan before proceeding to flood-hit areas in Melaka and Batu Pahat.
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December 23, 2006 11:33 AM
Flood Victims In Johor Rise To 73,979
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The number of flood evacuees in Johor rose to 73,979 Saturday morning with Muar district having the most people evacuated. A spokesman of the Johor Social Welfare Department said 14,843 families from 232 villages were now taking shelter at 341 relief centres. A total of 21,620 flood victims in Muar were at 91 relief centes as at 8am, he said. Kota Tinggi had 13,112 evacuees in 27 centres, Kluang (11,766), Segamat (9,356), Johor Baharu (8,373), Batu Pahat (5,324), Pontian (3,866) and Mersing (562).
Meanwhile in Kluang, an Information Department spokesman said the flood situation was improving because the rain had stopped although the skies were cloudy. He said only the road leading from Kluang to Mersing through Felda Nitar was still not passable while the stretch through Jemaluang had been opened to traffic. The Sungai Mengkibol water level was at the warning point, having dropped to 2.4m while the Machap Dam was at 17.65m, above the danger level of 17.4m. In Muar, a Drainage and Irrigation Department spokesman said the water levels in Sungai Muar in Bukit Kepong, Lenga, Liang Batu, Panchor and Kuala Pagoh were at the danger levels of between 2m and 5m while in Segamat, efforts were being made to reach the victims in Felda settlements which were still cut off from the outside world by flood waters. Kemelah state assemblyman Ayub Rahmat said the roads to Felda Paloh, Redong and Pemanis were still not passable to traffic.
"We have received news that most of the sundry shops in the three Felda schmes had run out of stock because fresh supply cannot reach them," he said, adding that the local authority was getting several boats to send supplies to them. In PAHANG, the number of flood evacuees rose to 5,113, including 471 new victims in Pekan who were evacuated last night. A Pekan flood operations room spokesman said 457 of the new evacuees were from Kampung Bebar while the rest were from Kampung Kuala Pahang dan Kampung Mencupu. Meanwhile, the 14 flood relief centres in Kuantan recorded an increase of evacuees to 2,987 from 2,502 last night while the 15 centres in Rompin now have 1,639, an increase of seven victims from last night. A Rompin flood operations room spokesman said only Sungai Kampung Kadak near Jalan Muadzam Shah-Segamat recorded a rise in water leverl to 13.75m. In Maran, the flood situation remained the same with 16 victims evacuated from Kampung Ulu Luit and Kampung Bak Bak.
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UPDATE: DEC 23 2006 Sat, 11.40am
Taps run dry; 23 Dec 2006; NST
MUAR: Thousands of people here are scurrying around in the rain looking for water. Taps ran dry on Thursday, after four of the six water treatment plants in the district were knocked out by the floods. The worst affected are those in the town centre. At Press time, only two plants were working, supplying water to Tangkak, Grisik and Ledang. Electricity in several areas have also been disrupted after power cables were inundated. Sungai Abong assemblyman Datuk Dr Haris Salleh said he had been deluged with calls demanding the restoration of utilities. He said Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) had mobilised water tankers to supply affected consumers. "I was told by SAJ that the generators at the water treatment plants were completely knocked out. Repairs will take several days," he said. At the moment, all eyes are on the water level of the Sungai Muar, which is above the danger point of 2.53m. On Thursday evening, it was at 2.41m. Bukit Serampang assemblyman Tahir Mohd Taat said authorities were worried that the inrush of water from Sungai Segamat would cause more flooding of the villages along Sungai Muar. He said a close watch was being kept on the situation and more evacuations might be necessary.
= = = = =December 23, 2006 11:33 AM
Flood Victims In Johor Rise To 73,979
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The number of flood evacuees in Johor rose to 73,979 Saturday morning with Muar district having the most people evacuated. A spokesman of the Johor Social Welfare Department said 14,843 families from 232 villages were now taking shelter at 341 relief centres. A total of 21,620 flood victims in Muar were at 91 relief centes as at 8am, he said. Kota Tinggi had 13,112 evacuees in 27 centres, Kluang (11,766), Segamat (9,356), Johor Baharu (8,373), Batu Pahat (5,324), Pontian (3,866) and Mersing (562).
Meanwhile in Kluang, an Information Department spokesman said the flood situation was improving because the rain had stopped although the skies were cloudy. He said only the road leading from Kluang to Mersing through Felda Nitar was still not passable while the stretch through Jemaluang had been opened to traffic. The Sungai Mengkibol water level was at the warning point, having dropped to 2.4m while the Machap Dam was at 17.65m, above the danger level of 17.4m. In Muar, a Drainage and Irrigation Department spokesman said the water levels in Sungai Muar in Bukit Kepong, Lenga, Liang Batu, Panchor and Kuala Pagoh were at the danger levels of between 2m and 5m while in Segamat, efforts were being made to reach the victims in Felda settlements which were still cut off from the outside world by flood waters. Kemelah state assemblyman Ayub Rahmat said the roads to Felda Paloh, Redong and Pemanis were still not passable to traffic. "We have received news that most of the sundry shops in the three Felda schmes had run out of stock because fresh supply cannot reach them," he said, adding that the local authority was getting several boats to send supplies to them. In PAHANG, the number of flood evacuees rose to 5,113, including 471 new victims in Pekan who were evacuated last night. A Pekan flood operations room spokesman said 457 of the new evacuees were from Kampung Bebar while the rest were from Kampung Kuala Pahang dan Kampung Mencupu. Meanwhile, the 14 flood relief centres in Kuantan recorded an increase of evacuees to 2,987 from 2,502 last night while the 15 centres in Rompin now have 1,639, an increase of seven victims from last night. A Rompin flood operations room spokesman said only Sungai Kampung Kadak near Jalan Muadzam Shah-Segamat recorded a rise in water leverl to 13.75m. In Maran, the flood situation remained the same with 16 victims evacuated from Kampung Ulu Luit and Kampung Bak Bak.= = = = = = = == = = =
December 23, 2006 10:58 AM
Abdullah Visits Flood Victims In Johor
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived in Johor Saturday to visit the flood victims in the state. He was received upon arrival at the Sultan Ismail Airport in Senai at about 9am by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and other Barisan Nasional leaders. He was briefed on the flood situation in the state for about an hour at the airport. He then left by helicopter to visit the evacuees at Dewan Sekolah Menengah Ledang and Sekolah Kebangsaan Serom 8 in Muar. In the afternoon he will visit flood victims in Yong Peng and Batu Pahat. He is expected to return to Kuala Lumpur at about 2.30pm.
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December 22, 2006 19:39 PM
Shortage Of Food Supply At Flood Relief Centres In Johor
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The Johor government has called for cooperation from all quarters, especially the private sector, to contribute foodstuff for flood victims in the state. State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Dr Robia Kosai said there was a shortage of food to meet the huge number of flood evacuees at the relief centres. She said between 60,000 and 70,000 people had been evacuated in the state so far. "It is totally unexpected because in previous floods in Johor, there were only about 5,000 victims," she told Bernama Friday. Robia said she had received numerous calls and complaints of insufficient food at the flood relief centres, each accommodating between 100 and 1,000 people. She said the flooded roads were also hampering delivery of food supplies to the centres. To overcome the problem, she said government agencies had been allowed to purchase food supplies from retail outlets not gazetted by the Welfare Department. "We appeal to all quarters to contribute food, clothing, blankets and mats for flood victims," she said, adding that several companies had come forward to make their contributions.
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December 22, 2006 19:27 PM
Floods: M'sia Does Not Need Outside Help
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia does not need foreign help to tackle the severe flood situation in the country, which so far has claimed six lives, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. Najib, who is also Defence Minister and chairman of the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee, said Malaysia was capable of handling the situation and that flood relief efforts were put in motion the moment floods struck in the states of Johor, Pahang, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan and Melaka. "We will handle it ourselves. The situation has stabilised... no need (for foreign help)," he said at a press conference at the Defence Ministry here today when asked if Malaysia would accept foreign help in tackling the disaster. There had been reports of several countries stating their willingness to help Malaysia in the effort. Najib also said that financial aid would be rendered to flood victims just as had been done during last year's floods. "We will follow a similar format in providing the aid this time," he added. He said the floods this time in Johor were out of the ordinary because of the unusually high rainfall over a 24-hour period earlier this week and that everyone was a little under-prepared when the floods broke out in the state on the first day. However, the authorities acted swiftly and flood relief operations improved thereafter, said Najib, adding that he was satisfied with the handling of the situation and the relief efforts needed to be continued. On complaints of shortage of clean water, the Deputy Prime Minister said that sufficient stocks of mineral water were sent to the affected areas. According to him, Tenaga Nasional Berhad had also been directed to restore power supply as soon as an affected area returned to normal. He said the Malaysian defence forces had increased the number of boats for relief operations to 80 while 11 helicopters were also being used to help victims. But Najib also expressed disappointment that some people resorted to looting in the wake of the disaster, which was reported to have happened in Segamat, one of the worst hit areas in Johor.
He said this was unacceptable and could not be forgiven. "Crimes cannot be forgiven, whatever the circumstances may be. Flood victims must also show sense of responsibility. "It's bad enough that one has to fall victim to floods, but to get one's possessions stolen in such a situation is like the adage sudah jatuh ditimpa tangga (the equivalent of "when it rains, it pours"). This is inexcusable," he said, adding that the police would come down hard on the perpetrators. Najib is scheduled to visit Melaka Saturday to inspect the flood situation in the state.
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December 22, 2006 22:42 PM
Education Ministry Wants Losses To Schools, Students Determined
GEMAS, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- All school headmasters and principals whose schools were affected by the floods have been asked to determine the losses suffered by their schools and students to enable state Education Departments to distribute assistance as soon as possible. Deputy Education Minister Datuk Hon Choon Kim said it was necessary to replace tables, chairs, computers and other essential items quickly because the schools would be opened by Jan 3 next year. He hoped that schools at risk of floods would move electrical items such as computers to higher floors to prevent them from being damaged.
For instance, he said, the amount of losses due to damaged electronic items at the Gemas National School Resource Centre, which became flooded was RM60,000. On schools which were used as evacuation centres for flood victims, he said the ministry would continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities to provide aid to the victims.
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December 22, 2006 22:23 PM
Stranded Travellers Sleep In Cars
KOTA TINGGI, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- While thousands of residents here take refuge at government-funded relief centres due to the massive flood, a number of stranded travellers opt to stay by their vehicles. Among them are a couple and their three-year-old grandson at Mile 1 1/2 of the Kota Tinggi-Mersing road.
Samsiah Sani, 44, said she, her husband Salim Selamat, 46, and grandson Mohd Haikal Zainuddin, had been trapped there over the past two days. "We're from our son's house in Tiram and wanted to return home at Felda Air Tawar 5 when the road got flooded and impassable. ”We have to sleep in the car to wait for the water to recede. Don't know when it'll happen. Hopefully soon, as we want to go for a neighbour's wedding reception this weekend," she said. "We simply have no other options and have wait here because other roads are also flooded," Samsiah said. Security guard Mohamad Rasiman, 54, said: "I work at Kolej Sunway in Johor Baharu and want to return home at Felda Waha. I sleep in the car while waiting for the water to recede." He too had been trapped there over the past two days. Pasir Gudang Polytechnic student Raif Abdul Rahman, 20, and several friends were on their way to their hometowns for the semester break that began today but tonight, they had to find a place to sleep."I'm riding a motorcycle to return to Felda Adela while a friend, Mohd Izmadi Abdul Aziz, 20, is driving back to Kampung Ayer Papan in Mersing," Raif said.
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December 22, 2006 21:52 PM
Events In Johor Postponed Due To Floods
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Several events, including official functions and the national badminton tournament, in Johor have been postponed due to the floods. Johor Land, in a statement issued here Friday said the opening of the Datuk Onn elevated interchange which had been planned to be held here tomorrow had been postponed. The floods in the state, which forced thousands of people to be evacuated, have also forced the Welfare Department to postpone the state-level celebration to mark the Day for the Disabled which had been planned next Tuesday at the Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim in Batu Pahat. Also postponed is the national junior badminton tournament which opening is scheduled on Dec 25.
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Sultan Suggests Permanent Evacuation Centres For Flood Victims
ROMPIN, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (BELOW) on Friday suggested the federal and state governments cooperate towards building permanent evacuation centres in flood prone areas in the state. He said the move would enable residents to evacuate immediately in the event of a flood in their areas.
ABOVE & BELOW: The Kuantan River water level was at a safe level during the critical period
"It will be better if the federal and state governments could fork out some money to build permanent evacuation centres which had electricity and water supply and toilets," he told reporters after visiting the flood affected areas at Kampung Bukit Serok, Felda Keratong 2 here today. He said one had been built at Lamir, Pekan and hoped similar centres would be built in Rompin, Lipis, Jerantut, Temerloh and Kuantan. The Sultan, who was accompanied by Rompin Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, also visited Felda Selancar where a bridge had been built to replace the one which collapsed after being hit by the floods two days ago.
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December 22, 2006 21:27 PM
Klang Valley May Be Next Hit By Floods
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Southern Selangor and Klang Valley are likely to be affected by the heavy rainfalls should the conditions persist, the Meteorological Department said Friday. The department has also advised people to prepare and brace for the worst conditions. A forecaster said heavy rainfall and thunderstorm was expected to persist in the Klang Valley until next Tuesday.
"The heavy rainfalls and wind condition that are currently affecting states in the east coast and Johor are expected to bring heavy downpour to the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas. "Generally, the weather will be cloudy in the morning while heavy rains are expected in the afternoon and night, but I advised the public to update themselves with the weather forecast," she said when contacted.
The intermittent but occasionally heavy rain occurring over Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang is expected to persist until this Sunday. However, East Johor is likely to experience intermittent rain until next Wednesday. According to the Department's website, impacts that could be possibly caused by the weather, are flooding over the low lying areas and areas by the river banks. It added that strong wind with sustained wind speed of at least 60 kmph could also cause thatched and zinc roof to be blown off. Meanwhile, the forecaster said the North Easterly Wind was now moving at a 60 to 70 kmph, with the wave height between 4.5 to 5.5 metre. "The sea condition is very rough and dangerous for all marine activities, including small and medium size fishing boats," she said.
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December 22, 2006 20:41 PM
Floods In Johor Spread To Tangkak
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The flood situation in Johor, one of the worst in the state's history, shows no sign of abating with the towns of Kota Tinggi and Segamat still inaccessible by road, and to make matters worse, Tangkak has become the latest district to be hit. Six people have lost their lives to the floods in the state so far. The Johor Drainage and Irrigation Department said that a spring tide at Sungai Johor estuary this evening would only worsen the flood situation in Kota Tinggi. Mudslides at Km18 Jalan Kluang-Kahang and Km35 Jalan Kota Tinggi-Johor Baharu have only compounded the problem, according to the Flood Operations Rooms in Kota Tinggi and Kluang. In BATU PAHAT, the Sembrong and Bekok dams were reported to be spilling water after the water levels in them exceeded the danger level of 17.5 metres (both). There is little change in the situation in Segamat in northern Johor, one of the worst hit towns. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who has been busy visiting areas affected by floods the last two days, has ordered the Malaysian Defence Forces (ATM) to provide more of its assets and help step up relief efforts. There had been complaints of insufficient boats to ferry victims to relief centres. According to Najib, although this was one of the worst flood crisis the country faced since 1969, Malaysia did not need foreign help in tackling the disaster. The ATM has since increased the number of boats for relief operations from 33 to 80 while helicopters from eight to 11. Besides government agencies, corporate bodies have also begun to contribute to the relief efforts by donating essential items like food, clothing and medicine for the flood victims, estimated to have reached 62,000 people. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said that rail services to the south could not be resumed for the next few days because of damage to tracks as a result of the floods. In PAHANG, the number of people sheltered at relief centres as of 5 pm is 3,932 compared to 3,763 in the morning. A Kuantan Flood Operations Room spokesman said that Jalan Sungai Lembing-Kuantan at Km29, 30 and 32 had to be closed to all traffic as the stretches were under up to two metres of water. In Rompin, the number of evacuees has increased to 1,524 people this afternoon compared to 1,469 in the morning but in Maran, it has dropped from 202 people in the morning to 58 now. The lucky ones got to return to their homes after the floods in their villages subsided. In TERENGGANU, 492 flood victims from Kuala Terengganu, Kemaman and Setiu had to be evacuated after their houses became inundated or were hit by powerful tidal waves that have been prevalent the last two days. A State Flood Operations Room spokesman said that as of 3 pm, all the major roads in the state still could be used by all types of vehicle. However, the water levels at Sungai Dungun and Sungai Setiu are reported to be continuing to rise. In KELANTAN, the water levels at Sungai Golok and Sungai Kelantan were reported to be approaching their danger marks. A Kelantan Flood Operations Room spokesman said that as of 4 pm, a total of 32 people were still in evacuation centres.
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ABOVE: An old "ma cik" being ferried to safety in a boat by relatives and friends in Johore Malaysia Flood Deaths Up To 6; New Storm Warnings Issued
Updated : 22-12-2006 ; Media : Dow Jones ;Story By : N/A ;Via BIZNEWS.com
SEGAMAT, Malaysia (AP)--Widespread floods in southern Malaysia this week have killed at least six people and displaced 60,000, officials said Friday, amid warnings of storms and tidal surges elsewhere in the country. Waters appeared to recede in parts of worst-hit state, Johor, after nearly a week. However, hundreds of towns and villages remained inundated as the rains continued, said Badrul Shah, deputy director of the government's Disaster and Crisis Division. "It's hard to say when things will get back to normal," Badrul told The Associated Press. "It's still raining in some places. But everyone is hoping that the worst is over." In the town of Segamat, about 170 kilometers northwest of state capital, Johor Bahru, schools were filled with families sharing sandwiches and other simple meals and keeping watch over their children and belongings.
More than 60,000 people have been evacuated from homes across four states since the unusually heavy downpours began Sunday, causing rivers and dams to overflow, wrecking crops and cutting off roads, electricity lines and train services. Small numbers of the evacuees have begun to return home, but most were still sheltering in schools and community centers, Badrul said. Badrul confirmed media reports that six people drowned or died in flood-related incidents.
[…]
The meteorological department expected rains to ease Friday over Johor - where the flooding has reportedly been the worst in 100 years - a spokesman said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. The department warned of extensive thunderstorms through Sunday over the South China Sea, east of the Malaysian peninsula, forecasting heavy rains and storms for three eastern states.
The department said in a statement that strong winds and rough seas, with waves up to 5.5 meters, were dangerous to coastal and shipping activities and oil platform workers. Some village homes dotting the east coast were partly destroyed by surging waves Thursday, television news footage showed. More than 500 people fled their homes to rescue centers.
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ABOVE & BELOW: AERIAL VIEWS OF FLODED HOUSING ESTATES in SEGAMAT, JOHORE
There are Millions in Losses & Sufferings in these floods and LOOTING was reported In Johore.
The folks at Taman Merdeka Jaya and Taman Thamby Chik Karim must question the authorities WHY the water was released at the last minute. Was there a management problem OR a design problem in the Gadek water treatment plant and the Durian Tunggal pumphouse? Was it GREED that only at the critical moment the “pipe water” was released? Any earlier release would be a loss to these companies?
There MUST be a proper investigation as to what is the proper threshold safer level. Compare to the Dam in Johore managed by Singapore, they did not release any water into the Johore river. The Department of Meteorology had forecast the current unusual heavy rain that has caused floods in southern Peninsular Malaysia., the Dewan Negara was told Thursday.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ruddin Abdul Ghani said the forecast was made based on the recent world weather phenomenon. ONLY AFTER the floods, the weathermen claimed this forcast; then WHY the People were NOT properly warned earlier? And Proton is Making Hay after the Rains by offering special prices (for Proton parts) to people whose cars were damaged in the floods. Meanwhile, the floods have also forced Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to cancel several of its SOUTH Bound train services. According to a statement issued by KTMB today, the affected services are the Ekspres Rakyat Singapore- Kuala Lumpur, Ekspres Sinaran Pagi Kuala Lumpur-Singapore and three of its mail train services - Singapore-Gua Musang, Gua Musang-Singapore and Singapore-Gemas.
Evacuation operations are underway in the all towns affected with the help of various government departments and agencies, including the police and army, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department and Welfare Department.
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ABOVE & BELOW: Aerial Views of Housing Estates inumuadted With Flood Waters in Kota Tinggi
Release Of Water From Treatment Plant Adds To Floods; December 21, 2006 23:25 PM
MELAKA, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The release of water from the Gadek water treatment plant and the Durian Tunggal pumphouse due to heavy rain for several days has also contributed to the floods in several areas in Melaka. Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the water had to be released or the large quantity of water would have resulted in a worst situation. "If we had not done so, Gadek and the surrounding areas would have been inundated. With the release, floods occurred in places such as Taman Merdeka Jaya and Taman Thamby Chik Karim," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the floods at the relief centre in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Munshi Abdullah, here Thursday.
More than 6,000 people have been evacuated in the three districts of Jasin, Melaka Tengah and Alor Gajah after floods hit the state following four days of rain which resulted in almost three times the amount of rainfall than usual. Usually, Melaka experiences 25 mm of rain but the recent downpour amounted to 65 mm, he said. He also said that heavy rainfall of 220 mm in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, caused rivers in Melaka flowing from Tampin to swell and overflow, resulting in floods. Mohd Ali advised the people to be cautious as floodwaters were expected to rise as rain was expected to continue until tomorrow. He said all damaged public amenities, such as bridges and community halls, would be repaired immediately after the floodwaters receded. Mohd Ali said the state government has taken and would take short-term and long-term flood mitigation measures, including deepening Sungai Air Salak, Sungai Parit Cina, Sungai Udang and Sungai Duyong.
Reservoirs would also be built in several areas, including Kampung Pulau dan Durian Tunggal
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December 21, 2006 21:41 PM
Flood Death Toll In Johor Rises To Five
ABOVE: INUNDATED… An aerial view of housing estate in Skudai, Johor submerged in water following incessant heavy rain.
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The flood toll in Johor has risen to five. Two more men and a woman have been confirmed to have died in the floods, the worst in a century in the state.
Segamat acting police chief Ahmad Sukarno, when contacted by Bernama, said all three were found dead in Kampung Jawa, Segamat. They were identified as Mohd Azahari (no last name available), 27, whose body was found in the village at 10am Thursday and senior citizens Ahmad Sharkawi, 70, who was said to be paralysed, and Masiah Ahmad, 69. Ahmad's and Masiah's bodies were found in front of their homes in the village this morning (they are not related). Meanwhile, Kluang OCPD Mohd Fauzi Arshad confirmed the identity of the man found drowned together with a woman teacher, M. Mageswari, in Sungai Sembrong in Paloh near the town as A. Muniandy. He is believed to be her uncle.
ABOVE: Gemas Town centre Flooded with about 1 m of water
The duo, who were travelling in a car in the area, were swept away by floodwaters at 6am Wednesday. Johor is also facing disruption of electricity and water supply as Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has shut down 270 substations and power to 15 water treatment plants in the state. The number of flood victims evacuated in Johor this afternoon had risen to 50,583 people with most of them from Segamat, Kota Tinggi and Johor Baharu districts. The floods in Johor are said to be the worst since a century ago.
ABOVE & BELOW: Segamat Town inundated with Flood waters and still cut off on Friday
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ABOVE & BELOW: Shops in the Segamat town centre reported "looting" of expensive electrical good and digital cameras from their shops
The town of Kota Tinggi has turned into an island with its surrounding areas submerged under 1.5 metres of water when the Sungai Johor overflowed its banks. All roads leading to Kota Tinggi are closed to all traffic and most of the shops there have also shut while some of the residents had left their homes. A Johor Flood Operations Room spokesman said that the situation in Segamat, which was cut off from its surrounding areas yesterday, was returning to normal as the water level at Sungai Segamat has receeded. People were seen purchasing essential items at the many shops that reopened in the town today.
In MELAKA, the situation in Melaka Tengah district had worsened with 7,022 people now placed in shelters compared to 3,937 people in the morning.
In PAHANG, 1,845 people from Kuantan, Rompin and Maran districts are taking taking refuge at evacuation centres.
ABOVE & BELOW: More flooded scenes from Rompin, Pahang
ABOVE & BELOW: More flooded scenes from Rompin, Pahang
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ABOVE: Minister Science & Technolgoy Dr Jamaluddin doing his rounds in Rompin, Pahang and baby sitting (BELOW)
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ABOVE: Rompin, only means of transport when flooded is your boat and BELOW: The Masjid was not spared either
In KELANTAN, Gua Musang became the first district in the state to experience floods with 495 people having to seek shelter at 4 pm today.
In TERENGGANU, 260 people from four villages in the Kemaman district had to be evacuated from their houses.
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December 21, 2006 22:31 PM
PM Conveys Sadness Over Occurrence Of Floods, Says Najib
KLUANG, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is overseas, has expressed his sadness over the occurrence of floods in southern Peninsular Malaysia and asked federal and state government agencies to help the victims.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (ABOVE) said Thursday Abdullah conveyed the message to him over the telephone Wednesday night. "Pak Lah (Abdullah) hopes there will be (strong) cooperation among the state and federal government agencies to ensure smooth functioning of the government machinery in helping the people," Najib told reporters after a visit to the Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Ping Ming here to see some of the flood victims of Johor.
ABOVE & BELOW: The Deputy Primier doing his rounds to comfort & console the people evacuted to flood centres
The deputy prime minister said Abdullah also wanted all efforts to assist the flood victims to be undertaken immediately without any hitch.
ABOVE Left : MB Johore Datuk Ghani Othman with Najib visitng the relief centre (BELOW) in Johore
Abdullah is overseas after having made an official visit to Venezuela. Najib, who was accompanied by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Chief of Army Jen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal and senior government officers, had earlier made an aerial inspection by helicopter of the worst-affected areas in Johor, including Kota Tinggi and Segamat. He also stopped over in several districts during the helicopter ride. Parts of Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang were also affected by the floods, caused by unusually heavy rain over the past few days.
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December 21, 2006 22:22 PM
TNB Switches Off Sub-stations Due To Floods
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- A total of 270 Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) sub-stations have been switched off throughout the state because of the floods as at 4pm Thursday. Johor TNB General Manager (Distribution) Mohammad Mokhtar Mohd Ali said Segamat District was the worst-affected area with 167 sub-stations rendered ineffective to prevent any danger to human lives. "As we all know, water and electricity are not good friends. So we have to ensure that the electricty supply is cut off to prevent any untoward incidents," he said. Kota Tinggi is the next worst-affected area and the situation is worsening because of the rising water, added Mohammad Mokhtar. In fact, the entire Kota Tinggi town is under 1.2 metres of water and all roads leading to and out of the town have been cut off. "This morning, our operations room here reported that electricity supply to the goverment offices in the town has been switched off and many commercial entreprises in the heart of the town are also affected," he added. But the good news is that the situation in the capital is getting better. "The situation is stabilised now in Johor Baharu but there is still come cleaning work to be done before we can resume supply," he said.
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December 21, 2006 21:45 PM
Sarawak On Flood Alert
KUCHING, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Sarawak has directed its divisional offices in major towns to be on full alert on the possible floods following the present flood problem in three states in the Peninsula. Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said a circular had been issued to all resident and district offices in Sarawak to provide enough manpower to handle flood operation rooms once floods occur in their respective areas.
"We are also preparing the King Tide that starts today until Dec 25,"he said in a news conference here Thursday. Dr Chan, who is also state Disaster and Management Relief Committee chairman said starting today to Dec 24, the King Tide would reach a height of about 5.6 metres while on Dec 25 it was expected to dwindle to 5.5 metres. "If Sarawak experience continuous rain for three to four days that come with the King Tide, then we are expecting flood problems,"he said. As for the present trend of rainfalls in Sarawak, Dr Chan said based on the forecast by the Meteorological Department, the northern part of the state like Miri,Bintulu and Limbang experienced less rainfalls. But for Kuching, Sibu and Sri Aman, Dr Chan said the amount of rainfalls was slightly high but it would not cause any flooding problems unless it happens continuously from three to four days.
To those living in the flood-prone areas, Dr Chan said, they now must be prepared to keep their personal belonging and documents to the safer place to ensure a smooth evacuation process if the situation gets worse. Dr Chan said this time Sarawak was well prepared with its manpower and logistic ability to face the flood problems. So far Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan had been hit with a serious flood problem with more than 20,000 people evacuated so far.
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December 21, 2006 21:41 PM
Flood Death Toll In Johor Rises To Five
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The flood toll in Johor has risen to five. Two more men and a woman have been confirmed to have died in the floods, the worst in a century in the state. Segamat acting police chief Ahmad Sukarno, when contacted by Bernama, said all three were found dead in Kampung Jawa, Segamat. They were identified as Mohd Azahari (no last name available), 27, whose body was found in the village at 10am Thursday and senior citizens Ahmad Sharkawi, 70, who was said to be paralysed, and Masiah Ahmad, 69. Ahmad's and Masiah's bodies were found in front of their homes in the village this morning (they are not related).
ABOVE & BELOW: The victims being taken to hospital for the post mortems
Meanwhile, Kluang OCPD Mohd Fauzi Arshad confirmed the identity of the man found drowned together with a woman teacher, M. Mageswari, in Sungai Sembrong in Paloh near the town as A. Muniandy. He is believed to be her uncle. The duo, who were travelling in a car in the area, were swept away by floodwaters at 6am Wednesday. Johor is also facing disruption of electricity and water supply as Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has shut down 270 substations and power to 15 water treatment plants in the state. The number of flood victims evacuated in Johor this afternoon had risen to 50,583 people with most of them from Segamat, Kota Tinggi and Johor Baharu districts. The floods in Johor are said to be the worst since a century ago.
The town of Kota Tinggi has turned into an island with its surrounding areas submerged under 1.5 metres of water when the Sungai Johor overflowed its banks. All roads leading to Kota Tinggi are closed to all traffic and most of the shops there have also shut while some of the residents had left their homes. A Johor Flood Operations Room spokesman said that the situation in Segamat, which was cut off from its surrounding areas yesterday, was returning to normal as the water level at Sungai Segamat has receeded. People were seen purchasing essential items at the many shops that reopened in the town today.
In MELAKA, the situation in Melaka Tengah district had worsened with 7,022 people now placed in shelters compared to 3,937 people in the morning.
ABOVE & BELOW: The kampung areas in the low lying coastal areas are submerged in over 1 metre of water
ABOVE: The Malacca Yang di Pertua, Datuk Khalil Yaacob on his inspection rounds and BELOW: Dishing out food at a relief centre
In NEGRI SEMBILAN, floods hit Gemas, Tampin and Rembau following heavy rain over the past two days. Six relief centres have been opened in the state to accommodate the flood victims.
ABOVE & BELOW: Flooded scenes from negeri Sembilan
In PAHANG, 1,845 people from Kuantan, Rompin and Maran districts are taking taking refuge at evacuation centres.
In KELANTAN, Gua Musang became the first district in the state to experience floods with 495 people having to seek shelter at 4 pm today.
ABOVE & BELOW: Strong winds from S China Sea lashing the Coconut trees in the East Coast
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ABOVE & BELOW: Strong waves from S China Sea lashing the coasts in the East Coast
In TERENGGANU, 260 people from four villages in the Kemaman district had to be evacuated from their houses.
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December 21, 2006 21:16 PM
Floods Disrupt Operations Of 15 Water Treatment Plants In Johor
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The floods in Johor have disrupted the operations of 15 water treatment plants, cutting off water supply to several areas. Head of the Corporate Communications Department of Syarikat Air Johor Holdings Sdn Bhd (SAJH) Jamaluddin Jamil said the plants shut down after power supply was disconnected as a precaution due to the floods. He said SAJH was striving to reduce the number of affected areas by making adjustments to the distribution mains to help consumers. Consumers can contact the SAJH operations centre on the toll-free line 1 800 88 7474 to lodge a complaint or obtain information. Meanwhile, State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk KS Balakrishnan said there was sufficient supply of food such as vegetables and fish in Johor though road communication was disrupted. People who have complaints can contact 07-2262 017 or 07-2262 008. The lines are open until 10 pm.= = = = = = == =
December 21, 2006 19:51 PM
Floods May Hamper Visit Malaysia Year 2007
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The floods in several states in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, especially Johor, may hamper Visit Malaysia Year (VMY'07) 2007, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
As Johor is the gateaway for tourists from the southern region, it could affect the promotional efforts for VMY'07, he told reporters after distributing VMY'07 pamphlets to motorists at the Sungai Besi Toll Plaza here Thursday. Exceptionally heavy rain caused severe flooding in the states of Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan since Tuesday - the worst in recent years. The VMY'07 pamphlets would also be distributed at the northern and southern gateways, he added.
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December 21, 2006 17:19 PM
Flood In Kota Tinggi Worsening, Segamat Improving
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Daily activities in Kota Tinggi were crippled today after flood waters inundated the town up to 1.5 metres high at some places. The situaton is not expected to improve soon as rain continues to fall since morning. A Johor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) spokesman said Sungai Johor was still rising, while the Kota Tinggi police headquarters had described the flood as turning the town into an island. All roads leading to the town including from Johor Baharu, Desaru and Mersing had been closed to all traffic, a police spokesman said. Several residents said the present flood was the worst since 1969.
They were also finding it increasingly difficult to get hold of daily necessities. Syarikat Air Johor corporate communications head Jamaludin Jamil said dams in Kota Tinggi including the Linggiu dam managed by the Singapore government were not responsible for the flood as none of them had released water into the rivers. Segamat which was cut off due to floods yesterday, had begun to recover though some areas in the town were still flooded. A DID spokesman there said Sungai Segamat had receded but it was still at the danger level. However, checks at several sundry shops revealed that basic necessities like eggs, meat and vegetables and dry foodstuff like sugar and rice were running short. Shopkeepers said the situation was caused by panic buying by some customers and the fact that major roads had been cut off.
"Supply has not been coming in for more than two days since the flood began," one of them said. Segamat had been cut off from the outside world since Tuesday morning when a river overflowed into the Labis-Chaah road and was made worse by three days of incessant rain that began on Monday. The situation began to improve yesterday when the rain stopped but several areas in the district, however, were still without clean water and electricity. The improved weather also meant windfall for car mechanics and dry cleaners as many cars that had been inundated in the flood, would now have to be repaired and cleaned. Local politicians when asked about problems faced by the residents, said everything would return to normal once the flood water had receded.
The visit by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak later this afternoon brought relief to the people who had criticised the authorities for being slow in helping the flood victims. In Johor Baharu, the flood situation had also improved though rain was still falling. A check at Kampung Laut Batu 10 in Skudai showed that the flood had begun to subside and some of 100 families who sought shelter at Sekolah Menengah Pu Sze had returned to their homes. According to the Johor Social Welfare Department, 45,448 people from 8,938 families were still staying at 252 temporary evacuation centres nationwide. It said Johor Baharu had 8,317 evacuees, Kota Tinggi 4,114, Kluang 10,448, Muar 9,871, Batu Pahat 4,708, Pontian 2,303, Segamat 5,245 and Mersing 442.= = = = =
December 21, 2006 14:53 PM
Sungai Segamat Begins To Recede
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The flood situation in Segamat -- a Johor district worst hit by floods - is expected to improve as Sungai Segamat has begun to recede. Many areas, however, including Segamat town are still under water. A Segamat police spokesman said the district still received light rain and two roads were still closed except to heavy vehicles. "The two roads are the Segamat-Jementah and Labis-Segamat following floods up to one metre," he said. A Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) spokesman said Sungai Segamat had begun to recede but it was still at the danger level.
State assemblyman for Kemelah, Ayub Rahmat, said efforts to evacuate flood victims in Segamat presently focused on Taman Perkasa, Taman Segar and Taman Aman because a number of families were still trapped on the upper floors of their houses. He said water and electricity supplies to the areas had been disrupted since yesterday and some of the trapped victims had yet to receive food supplies. A water main pipe was reported to have burst but the repair work could not start because the area was flooded. In Kota Tinggi, a district police spokesman said the flood situation had worsened due to the high tide in Sungai Johor. The Johor Baharu-Kota Tinggi road near Taman Saujana, the Kota Tinggi-Desaru road and the Kota Tinggi-Mersing road were closed to light vehicles. A Kota Tinggi, a DID spokesman said Sungai Johor was at the danger level. In Kluang, Sungai Mengkibol and Sungai Sembrong had exceeded the alert level while water level in the Machap damn at 18.14m had surpassed the danger level of 17m.
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December 21, 2006 16:00 PM
Weatherman Has Forecast Current Rain In Southern Peninsula
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The Department of Meteorology had forecast the current unusual heavy rain that has caused floods in southern Peninsular Malaysia, the Dewan Negara was told Thursday. Parliamentary Secretary to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ruddin Abdul Ghani said the forecast was made based on the recent world weather phenomenon.
"These forecasts are made based not only on sophisticated technology available at the department but also with the help of forecasts and data from the meteorological centres of other countries, including the United States, Japan and China," he said.
Replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Azizah Abdul Samad, he said the heavy rain now experienced in southern Peninsular Malaysia resulted from the meeting of the wind from Russia and China and that from the western Pacific Ocean.
This situation brought thick clouds to the east coast and southern part of the peninsula, he added.
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December 21, 2006 11:28 AM
Flood Situation In Several States Worsens
DICING WITH DANGER… Children playing at the estuary of Kuala Besar, Pantai Mek Mas, oblivious to the danger of being swept away by strong currents. The flood situation in several states such as Johor and Melaka has worsened with more people taking temporary shelters on higher grounds while in Kelantan, the main rivers are reported to have exceeded the alert level. Pix: Kamaruzaman Yaacob.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The flood situation in several states including Johor and Melaka has worsened with more people taking temporary shelter on higher grounds while in Kelantan, the main rivers are reported to have exceeded the alert level.
In JOHOR, 44,577 people from 8,977 families in 183 areas had been evacuated to 274 relief centres as at 6am today.
A Social Welfare Department spokesman said Muar saw 9,634 people evacuated while Kluang 9,539, Johor Baharu 8,340, Segamat 5,245, Batu Pahat 4,708, Kota Tinggi 4,114, Pontian 2,762 and Mersing 235.
In MELAKA, 3,937 people from Batu Berendam, Tanjung Minyak, Tengkera, Tiang Dua, Melaka Tengah, Kandang, Malim, Bukit Baru and Taman Angkasanuri had fled their homes as at 8am as the flood situation in the Melaka Tengah district worsened.
A police spokesman said they were evacuated to 20 relief centres.
In Jasin, the flood situation in most areas remained unchanged but water level in Sungai Rambai was rising.However, several families from Asahan, Bemban and Rim had been allowed to return home, said a spokesman from the Jasin flood operations centre.
He said 970 people were still at the evacuation centres in the district.
In Alor Gajah, the number of people at the evacuation centres decreased to 735 this morning from 854 last night.
The Beringin-Kerubong road was closed to all vehicles as a bridge near Kampung Beringin had collapsed.
In KELANTAN, people living along the banks of Sungai Golok and Sungai Kelantan had been told to prepare for the possibility of floods as the rivers had exceeded the alert level.
The Drainage and Irrigation Department and Fire and Rescue Department opened their flood operations centres Wednesday night. The rain that began several days ago in Gua Musang and Jeli was still falling. Sungai Semerak had also exceeded the alert level.
In PAHANG, the number of flood evacuees rose to 1,077 this morning. They were from two districts, namely Rompin (926 people) and Kuantan (151). A spokesman from the Rompin flood operations centre said 171 people took shelter at a relief centre in Kampung Rekoh, 95 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pianggu, 48 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Keratong Satu, 407 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Keratong Dua, 34 at the Bukit Serok civic hall and 171 at a relief centre in Kampung Kurnia. A Kuantan police spokesman said the number of evacuees in the district rose to 151 as at 9am from only 17 yesterday. They were placed at seven relief centres, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan Cenderawasih (seven people), Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sungai Isap (18), Panching multi-purpose hall (17), Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Karang (39), Pahang Resource Centre (22), Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Gudang Rasau (35) and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pandan (13).
The spokesman said three stretches of the Kuantan-Sungai Lembing road were closed to all vehicles after they were flooded as high as two metres. In NEGRI SEMBILAN, the flood in Gemas had receeded. However, the Gemas-Gemencheh road was still closed to all traffic. Motorists from Tampin heading to Gemas were advised to use the Jelai road.
Civil Defence Department spokesman Lt Mohd Khairi Ghazali said all villages around Sungai Kelamah were still cut off while the number of evacuees remained at 455
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December 20, 2006 17:48 PM
Rainy Spell Forecast To Ease From Sunday
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The current rainy spell experienced in northern Johor, the south and east Pahang, south Terengganu, Melaka and Negri Sembilan is forecast to ease from Sunday. For Johor, the situation should be back to normal from Friday, according the the Malaysian Meteorological Department. The states have been experiencing one of the heaviest rainfall in a hundred years since Dec 15, with the daily average rainfall reaching 623mm in Johor, 456.4mm in Kluang, Batu Pahat (279mm) and Mersing (182.8mm). In Pahang, Bandar Muadzam Shah recorded the highest average rainfall in the last five days at 327.6mm, while in Kuantan it was 320.6mm, Temerloh (141mm) and Batu Embun (112.6mm). The daily average rainfall for Melaka during the same period worked out to 264.2mm. Many places in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka have been hit by large-scale flooding as a result of the unusually high rainfall.
ABOVE: The mosque cleaner Amalina Ahmad was doing her rounds in the state mosque (BELOW) in Seremban
SEREMBAN: The body of a newborn baby was found in a paper bag at the state mosque yesterday morning. A note, which police believe was written by the mother, was found in the bag. In the note, the writer said the baby was named Nur Ain Atikah Abdullah and she was born on Wednesday at 
ABOVE: The bag was taken out and place on the table (BELOW) for a photo session with newmen
ABOVE: The baby has undergone a "transformation" and was asleep
