'We lost everything': Over 5,000 evacuated in Johor after floods hit 5 districts, with JB worst-hit

Over 5,000 people have been evacuated in Johor after five districts were hit by floods, with Johor Bahru (JB) especially affected, Malaysian media reported.

Five districts hit by floods, JB worst-hit

As of 10pm on Mar. 20, the Johor Disaster Management Committee said that five districts in Johor had been affected by floods, with a total of 5,092 individuals from 1,284 families placed in 79 temporary relief centres, The Star reported.

The committee said that JB has the highest number of evacuees with 1,288 people, more than Kota Tinggi with 1,233 evacuees.

The other affected districts are Pontian (913), Kulai (878) and Kluang (780), it said.

Nine river monitoring stations have also recorded water levels at a dangerous level.

Two roads in Kota Tinggi have been closed due to flooding.

Footage of the flooding in Johor shared to social media showed waterlogged streets, submerged vehicles and houses alike, and residents being evacuated en masse.

20 schools in Johor were forced to close as a result of the heavy rains, with two submerged in water, said State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin, The Malay Mail reported.

Seven of them have been converted into temporary relief centres for flood victims while 11 others have been cut off.

A teacher in Tebrau, Johor said it was her first time seeing her school cut off due to flooding.

“Usually, the floodwater would only reach knee level, but now it has risen up to the first floor,” she told The Star.

Hari Raya ruined again

A family's Hari Raya celebrations were ruined after their home in Kampung Skudai Kecil was completely submerged in floodwaters, New Straits Times reported.

Alfian Marjuni, 55, said she noticed water in the kitchen when she started cooking on Mar. 19.

She and her husband tried to move their belongings to higher ground, but it was futile.

"Within half an hour, the water had already reached chest level. We had no choice but to evacuate," she said.

The water ended up reaching the roof, and destroying the family's furniture, clothing, electrical appliances, and Raya snacks they had prepared.

Another resident, Erniza Erwan, 41, said this was the third time her home had been completely submerged, following major floods in 2006 and 2020.

In 2020, the floods also happened during Ramadan.

"We lost everything again. Now, instead of preparing for Raya, we have to rebuild our lives from scratch," she said.

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Top image from Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia Negeri Johor/Facebook & Sin Nam Ann Transport Sdn Bhd/Facebook