Heavy rain in Johor: More than 3,400 victims forced into flood relief centres

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) forecasted on Wednesday morning that continuous heavy rain is expected in Johor for the day.

The department has issued a warning for extreme heavy rain in the districts of Segamat, Kluang, Mersing, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru, while heavy rain is anticipated in the districts of Tangkak, Muar, Batu Pahat and Pontian. 

Last month, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, called for immediate long-term measures to resolve the country’s flood problem, including holistic flood mitigation projects. 

Ahmad Zahid said that such flood management efforts, when completed, could ensure good long-term flood management until 2100.

Floods are an annual phenomenon in Malaysia due to the northeast monsoon that brings heavy rain from November to March.