Villager shocked by fast-rising water

For Mr Yahaya Mohd Salleh, 68, the annual floods are nothing new. Floods had forced him to flee his single-storey house in 2006, and again in 2011.

But even he was shocked by how quickly the water rose this time.

"We experience flood every year, but not of this magnitude," said the rubber tapper. "This time, the water rushed into my house and quickly rose to chest level."

He and his wife gathered their children and grandchildren - 11 in all - and rushed to the nearest relief centre in Kampung Pogoh 2.

This year, he reckons they will be at the centre - one of 19 in Segamat - for at least a month.

More than 1,080 people have been evacuated here since Monday, Johor civil defence state director Ghazali Abdul Rahman told The Straits Times.

That makes it the second-worst hit district in Johor after Mersing, where 5,450 people have been moved. A total of 8,402 people have been evacuated in the state.

Still, it was business as usual in Segamat's town centre - still flood-free - when The Straits Times team arrived on Wednesday. But flooded fields could be seen as the team headed for the villages.

"The worst-hit kampungs have water rising to the roofs of the houses," said Colonel Ghazali.

He said the army was deploying trucks and boats to evacuate those stranded in their homes. He expects the water to subside in a month or so.

Fortunately, he added, power and telecommunications services have not been cut here, as they have in parts of Pahang.

There are also some who have decided to stay put, like school gardener Abdul Razak Abdul Samad. The 58-year-old told The Straits Times on Wednesday that he was staying behind to guard his house in Kampung Pogoh 2.

Inside his home, his kitchen, dining area and one bedroom were flooded to knee level, and water continues to rise every day.

He sleeps on a higher level, where two other bedrooms and the living room are located. He said he will evacuate if water reaches the higher level.

Every day, he takes a boat out to get food. He has moved most of his valuables to his father-in-law's house.

"The last time there was such heavy flooding and people abandoned their homes, the homes got looted. I just want to be safe."

joycel@sph.com.sg

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