KUALA LUMPUR: The Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) has issued a flood warning, forecasting floods in several river basin areas in Johor, starting Tuesday until Nov 23.
The affected areas include districts in Segamat (Batu Pahat River Basin and Muar River Basin), Kluang (Johor River Basin, Endau River Basin, and Benut River Basin), Mersing (Mersing River Basin and Tenglu Besar River Basin), and Kulai (Pontian Besar River Basin, Skudai River Basin, and Tebrau River Basin), according to a statement from the DID on Monday (Nov 18).
Other affected areas include several districts in Kota Tinggi, namely the Rengit River Basin, Sepang River Basin, and Sedii Besar River Basin.
In Johor Baru, the impacted areas include the Johor River Basin, Pulai River Basin, Skudai River Basin, and Tebrau River Basin.
As of 4:25pm on Monday, the water level of Sungai Muar at Kampung Awat, Segamat, had exceeded the danger level (19.95 metres) and was recorded at 20.20 metres.
Meanwhile, the water level of Sungai Muar at Buloh Kasap, Segamat, stood at 8.26 metres, and Sungai Kesang at Telok Rimba, Tangkak, was at 3.16 metres, both remaining at the warning level.
Several other river areas show a rising trend at the alert level, including Sungai Tiram at Kampung Bukit Dagang, Johor Baru, at 2.12 metres, and Sungai Johor in Kota Tinggi at 2.22 metres.
DID also forecasts that flooding may occur earlier or later than expected, urging other districts to take precautionary measures.
"Residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, are advised to remain vigilant and heed instructions from authorities or disaster management agencies," the statement added.
Earlier, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had issued an alert warning of continuous rain in several districts in Johor, starting last Friday (Nov 15).
MetMalaysia forecasts that the Northeast Monsoon (MTL), beginning in early November and lasting until the end of March 2025, is expected to bring heavy rain episodes in the East Coast states, Sabah, and Sarawak.