JOHOR BARU: More than 300 metric tonnes of solid waste – that’s the aftermath of Johor’s floods, with furniture making up the bulk of discarded items so far.

From damaged sofas to broken cabinets, flood-hit residents are tossing out their household belongings by the truckloads as the massive clean-up continues.

SWM Environment Sdn Bhd corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin said a huge amount was collected within the first five days of the operation which began on Friday.

“There were cupboards, cabinets, bed frames, sofas, chairs and mattresses. Over five days, some 50 to 60 metric tonnes of debris were collected each day,” he said yesterday.

Mohd Norlisam said the areas with high waste collection included Taman Tampoi Indah, PPR Desa Mutiara, Kampung Seri Jaya and Kampung Seri Serdang here.

“The clean-up involved about 200 workers. We also deployed 40 of our machinery such as roll-on roll-off (Roro) lorries and backhoe to assist. We are hoping to get everything done before Hari Raya,” he said.

Norlisam advised flood victims and volunteers to place the debris in front of their homes to ease collection.

“Two temporary transfer sites have been opened in Taman Tampoi Indah and Kampung Pasir for the collection of waste.

“This is to help with house-to-house cleaning. From these two temporary sites, the waste will be sent directly to the landfill,” he said.

Norlisam said the firm would provide free replacements of wheelie bins that were damaged or washed away by the floods, adding that online applications could be made at www.swmenvironment.com.

“If the bin is lost due to the floods, the applicant must file a police report and attach a copy of it with the online application,” he added.

State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the post-flood clean-up operation was proceeding smoothly, adding that the total amount of waste was expected to reach 500 tonnes.

“The state government has taken note of the logistical challenges and is working to improve coordination to ensure that the flood debris is managed more effectively,” he said in thanking all involved for their assistance.

Mohd Jafni called for close cooperation between residents and local authorities in reporting areas that still need attention.

JOHOR BARU: The recent floods that swept through Johor Baru were among the most severe the city has experienced in over three decades, says mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad.

Between March 19 and 20, torrential rainfall exceeding 150mm drenched several areas under the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), including Kampung Pasir and Taman Tampoi Indah.

The relentless downpour caused Sungai Skudai to overflow beyond its danger level of 1.5m, submerging neighbourhoods.

“The intensity of this year’s rainfall was unprecedented, leading to flooding in areas that had never been affected before,” Mohd Haffiz said after a full council meeting yesterday.

“For instance, Taman Tampoi Indah had not seen flooding in nearly 30 years, yet it was affected this time.

“The situation was worsened by a high tide reaching three metres in Johor Baru, triggering unexpected floods in multiple locations.”

The disaster has underscored the urgent need for improved warning systems, especially for residents living near rivers and flood-prone zones, he said.

Mohd Haffiz noted that the system was first introduced last year at Sungai Chat, benefiting residents in Kampung Mohd Amin and other areas.

Given the latest catastrophe, he said expanding the system to more high-risk locations is necessary, enabling early evacuations before official directives are issued by rescue agencies.

In response to the floods, 11 temporary relief centres (PPS) were activated under MBJB’S jurisdiction, providing shelter to 2,232 victims from 806 families.

A total of 27 areas were affected, including villages, residential areas and public housing schemes in Pandan, Kangkar Tebrau, Taman Desa Mutiara, Taman Tampoi Utama, Kampung Pasir, Kampung Seri Serdang, Kampung Melayu Pandan and Kampung Belantik.

To manage relief efforts, Mohd Haffiz said MBJB deployed its frontline units, including Skuad Kilat, Quick Response Unit, Landscape Action Unit, Health Task Force, Enforcement Department and Community Affairs Department.

Although the situation has improved, Mohd Haffiz said the MBJB Disaster Operations Room remains open to oversee postflood assistance and prepare for unpredictable weather patterns during the ongoing northeast monsoon transition period.

“According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the monsoon transition phase is expected to last from March 25 until May 2025, bringing short but heavy rain and strong winds in the afternoons and evenings.

“These conditions increase the risk of flash floods, particularly in western and inland parts of Peninsular Malaysia,” he warned.

“Furthermore, Johor Baru is expected to experience a high tide phenomenon from March 29 to April 3, with water levels reaching up to 3.5m. I urge all relevant departments to remain on high alert.”

MBJB has also installed smart monitoring systems at two selected river basins – Sungai Chat and Parit Utama Abdul Samad – to track water levels and rainfall distribution.

“This system, accessible via mobile phones, allows MBJB to activate pumps earlier and take proactive measures to mitigate flooding,” Mohd Haffiz explained.

He also said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has announced a special flood relief fund to support affected residents.

Registered households at PPS will receive RM3,000 each while flood victims who did not register at PPS can appeal for aid at their respective district offices until the end of April.

Additionally, Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaar traders at identified locations will receive RM500 in financial aid.

Mangsa banjir bersyukur mula menerima bantuan RM3,000 bagi meringankan beban akibat banjir yang melanda beberapa daerah di negeri ini.

Seramai 3,749 Ketua Isi Rumah (KIR) yang berdaftar di pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) menerima Bantuan Khas Kewangan Bencana Banjir Monsun Timur Laut (MTL) bermula jam 8 pagi semalam membabitkan enam daerah.

Penerima bantuan yang juga ibu tunggal, Mailah Bakar, 59, hampir keseluruhan barangan dalam rumahnya musnah dan rosak dalam kejadian banjir kali ini.

Beliau bersyukur dengan bantuan yang dihulurkan dapat meringankan sedikit bebannya, terutama menjelang Aidilfitri.

“Alhamdulillah syukur, jika dibandingkan dengan kerosakan akibat banjir yang kami alami memang lebih besar. Tetapi ini semua ujian, kita tidak minta kejadian ini dan kerajaan juga tidak minta banjir berlaku.

“Sekurang-kurangnya bantuan ini dapat kami gunakan untuk membeli kelengkapan penting untuk kegunaan harian, termasuk kelengkapan seorang anak saya adalah orang kurang upaya (OKU) akibat kemalangan.

“Hari raya kali ini sekadar apa adanya sahaja, bantuan seperti beras dan makanan asas juga kami terima sebelum ini,” katanya ketika ditemui di pusat agihan bantuan khas MTL di Dewan Pejabat Daerah Kulai di sini, semalam.

Penyelia Kilang, Mohammad Sabran, 41, dari Kampung Sengkang, juga melahirkan rasa syukur dan berterima kasih atas keprihatinan kerajaan negeri.

Katanya, sumbangan ini akan digunakan sebaiknya untuk empat anaknya yang turut terkesan dengan bencana itu.

“Mungkin orang luar lihat RM3,000 jumlah yang sedikit, tetapi bagi kami yang hampir semua barangan musnah akibat banjir, jumlah ini sangat bermakna.

“Syukur bantuan diserahkan kepada kami sebelum hari raya. Sekurang-kurangnya boleh kami membuat sedikit persiapan pada pagi raya nanti,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan Johor yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Permai, Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, berkata 575 mangsa banjir menerima bantuan khas ini di daerah Kulai dengan nilai peruntukkan RM1.725 juta.

Kelmarin, Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, dilaporkan berkata, 3,749 KIR yang terjejas akibat banjir di negeri itu akan menerima bantuan khas RM3,000 daripada kerajaan negeri

Katanya, bantuan RM11.24 juta itu akan diagihkan serentak di enam daerah terjejas bagi meringankan beban mangsa yang kehilangan tempat tinggal dan kerosakan harta benda.

Batu Pahat: “Kami kena hidu bau busuk air banjir ini setiap hari. Selagi tak surut, selagi itulah kami kena hadapinya, paling kurang seminggu lagi baru pulih,” kata Mohd Solehan Simigen, antara penduduk Sri Medan yang kini dibelenggu banjir termenung sejak seminggu lalu.

Mohd Solehan, 34, berkata keadaan itu menyebabkan bau busuk sehingga penduduk tak lalu makan.

“Kalau air pasang, bau hilang seketika, bila surut datang balik bau itu. Inilah yang berlaku setiap kali kena banjir, namun kami reda,” katanya ditemui di Kampung Parit Jayus, semalam.

Disebabkan masalah itu selain banjir belum surut, dia terpaksa melupakan hasrat membuat persiapan Aidilfitri.

“Tengok keadaan rumah dan kawasan luar masih belum dibersihkan jadi, kami tak beraya tahun ini.

“Ini dugaan kali kedua Ramadan selepas 2023. Cuma kali ini tidak seteruk dua tahun sebelumnya apabila air masuk rumah hingga paras tengkuk,” katanya.

Sementara itu, seorang lagi penduduk, Pikati Yaiman, 54, berkata kediamannya juga menerima nasib sama terpaksa bau banjir termenung sejak seminggu lalu.

Harungi air paras betis

Dia terpaksa mengharungi banjir dengan air mencecah paras betis setiap kali keluar rumah untuk membeli barang keperluan atau urusan lain.

“Kami harap dalam keadaan cuaca kembali elok akan mempercepatkan air surut. Kalau ada rezeki kami sambut Aidilfitri,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, tinjauan di beberapa kawasan di Sri Medan antara Parit Baru dan Parit Warijo mendapati masih banyak rumah penduduk terjejas banjir termenung.