NUMBER OF FLOOD VICTIMS IN THREE STATES DROPS TO 2,803 THIS AFTERNOON

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- The number of flood victims housed at temporary relief centres (PPS) in three states has decreased to 2,803 this afternoon, compared to 4,817 reported in the morning.

In JOHOR, the number of evacuees dropped to 2,455 as of 4 pm, down from 3,893 earlier.

State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) chairman Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani said all victims, comprising 703 families, are currently sheltered at 23 PPS still operating in five affected districts.

“Johor Bahru continues to record the highest number of victims at 1,281, followed by Pontian (430), Batu Pahat (368), Kluang (299) and Kota Tinggi (77),” he said in a statement today.

In SARAWAK, the JPBN Secretariat reported that the number of evacuees had decreased to 210 after three PPS were closed today as flood conditions improved.

The Asrama Belia Kapit and Dewan Suarah Kapit PPS were closed at 9 am, while the Dewan Serbaguna Selangau PPS ceased operations at noon.

As of 4 pm, 25 flood victims remain at the Dewan Komuniti Sibu Jaya, while 185 evacuees are at the Dewan Kompleks Sukan Kanowit.

In SABAH, the flood situation is also improving, as the number of evacuees in Beaufort dropped to 138 from 41 families this afternoon, compared to 473 from 141 families in the morning.

The JPBN Secretariat said two PPS, namely Dewan DSP DUN Banir and Dewan Gereja St Seno Batu 58, were closed this afternoon, leaving Dewan Selangon as the only centre still open to accommodate the remaining victims.

“A total of eight villages in Beaufort have been affected by floods,” the statement added.

-- BERNAMA