JOHOR BARU: It proved to be a wet start for the new year for residents of several areas in Johor, with a number of districts hit by flash floods today.
A continous downpour since noon led to floods in several low-lying areas in Kota Tinggi, Mersing and Segamat.
The worst-hit area was Mersing, where 173 people from 46 families had to be evacuated to five temporary flood relief centres when flood waters rose in the afternoon.
The affected areas in Mersing were Taman Nakhoda, Air Papan, Kampung Tanjung Genting, Kampung Tenglu Besar, Kampung Kelantan, Semanyir, Endau and Kampung Air Tawar.
All evacuees were brought to the respective relief centres as early as 1.45pm with the help of various agencies including the Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, People's Volunteer Corp (Rela) and police.
Most of the flood victims were housed at SK Air Papan, which now houses 50 people from 15 families.
The situation was less severe in Kota Tinggi, as only one area in Bukit Raja was hit by flash floods. Ten people from three families had to seek shelter at the SK Teluk Ramunia relief centre.
Meanwhile, in Segamat, 51 people sought refuge on higher ground when waters rose in Kampung Segamat Kechil. However, the residents were able to return to their houses around 4pm when floodwaters receded.