KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — The number of flood victims in Sabah and Pahang continued to increase while Johor recorded a drop and the numbers in Sarawak remained unchanged as at 8pm .

In Pahang, the number of evacuees in the Rompin district increased to 323 people from 97 families at three temporary flood relief centres (PPS), compared with 320 people from 96 families this afternoon.

The State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat reported that the PPS in Kampung Setajam was accommodating the highest number of victims with 161, PPS in Balai Raya Rekoh is housing 122 victims and the PPS Balai Raya Bukit Lepas has 40 victims.

The Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) portal said operations at the PPS Balai Raya Perwira Jaya which was opened on Tuesday, has been closed after the remaining seven victims from two families had returned home this afternoon.

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s (JPS) official portal, publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my reported that the water level in Sungai Keratong, Rompin was still at the danger level after recording 24.97 meter (m) tonight.

In Sabah, the number of victims in three districts increased to 6,394 people from (2,281 families) who are sheltered at 24 PPS, compared with 6,331 people from (2,168 families) in the afternoon.

The State Disaster Management Committee secretariat in a statement said the highest number of victims are in Kota Marudu with 4,789 people (1,731 families) at 12 PPS in the district.

“A total of 1,133 people (423 families) are housed at four PPS in Pitas, 472 people (127 families) were evacuated to eight PPS in Paitan. The number of flood victims in Pitas and Paitan is expected to increase while the number is expected to remain unchanged in Kota Marudu,” said the statement.

The statement added that flood victims at two districts - Kudat and Lahad Datu - were allowed to return home from three PPS after the centres were closed at 8pm tonight.

The Meteorology Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) in a statement issued at 6.35 pm today has forecast thunderstorms in the interiors of Sabah, namely Sipitang, Tenom and Nabawan, tonight.

In Johor, the number of victims at PPS continued to drop with 4,575 people recorded as at 8pm compared with 5,427 people in the afternoon.

The JPBN informed that 48 PPS were still operating in seven districts with 1,266 families taking shelter.

Mersing is the worst hit district in the state with 1,589 people, Kluang (1,173 people), Kota Tinggi (857 people), Segamat (490 people), Batu Pahat (327 people), Muar (121 people) and Pontian (18 people).

Meanwhile, the water level at four rivers in the state has surpassed the danger level with Sungai Muar at Sungai Gemas, Segamat recording a reading of 19.28 m; Sungai Kahang at Kampung Contoh, Kluang (15.82 m); Sungai Endau, Mersing (2.77 m); and Sungai Lenik Ladang Chaah, Segamat (7.14 m).

In Sarawak, the number of flood victims remained at 56 people from (17 families) who are sheltered at two PPS in the Lundu and Sematan districts as at 7 pm.

According to JPBN, two PPS at SK Sebat and Balai Raya Kampung Sebat Dayak were housing 39 and 17 victims.

MetMalaysia today forecast thunderstorms at several areas of Sarawak, especially Kuching, Sri Aman, Betong, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang. — Bernama