Floods in Johor force over 10 000 evacuations, Malaysia
Flooding across multiple districts in Johor, Malyasia, forced the evacuation of 10 763 residents as of Friday, March 21, 2025, and triggered severe traffic congestion in Johor Bahru city center.
Flooding in Malaysia on March 20, 2025. Image credit: Pasukan Bomba Sukarela Taman Mount Austin
A total of 10 763 people in Johor were evacuated as of 08:00 on March 21, 2025, due to flooding that also caused significant traffic congestion in Johor Bahru city center.
“The victims from 3 018 families have been sent to temporary flood relief centers,” Johor’s Disaster Management Committee said in a statement on Friday morning.
The 10 763 people evacuated as of 08:00 local time (LT) on Friday represent more than double the 5 092 recorded just 10 hours earlier, according to local news outlet The Star.
Johor Bahru recorded the highest number of flood evacuees at 4 291, according to Azmi Rohani, chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee.
“This is followed by Kluang with 2 163, Kota Tinggi with 1 762, Pontian with 1 395, and Kulai with 1 152,” Rohani said on Friday morning.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department issued a “severe-level” continuous rain warning for Johor until Friday. Areas forecast to be affected include Kluang, Mersing, Pontian, Kulai, Kota Tinggi, and Johor Bahru.
An “alert-level” continuous rain warning was also issued for other districts in Johor—Tangkak, Segamat, Muar, and Batu Pahat—as well as other parts of Malaysia, including Pahang and Sabah.
Johor’s Chief Minister, Onn Hafiz Ghazi, urged residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant and comply with directives from authorities. He stated that the state government is taking steps to manage the situation.
“We have been, and will continue, mobilizing all efforts to coordinate assistance, ensure sufficient food supplies, and provide basic necessities to safeguard the well-being of the victims,” Onn Hafiz said in a statement on Friday morning.
A day earlier, he stated that the Irrigation and Drainage Department had been instructed to expedite flood mitigation projects to reduce the risk of recurring floods.
References:
1 Severe floods hit five districts in Johor, 2,550 people evacuated – The Strait Times – March 20, 2025
2 Over 10,000 evacuated in Johor as floods mar Hari Raya plans – The Strait Times – March 21, 2025
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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