More flood victims evacuated

KUALA LUMPUR: The floods in Kelantan and Terengganu worsened yesterday afternoon as more victims were being evacuated.

In Kelantan, 20,709 victims from 6,795 families in eight districts were evacuated, compared to 20,468 people yesterday morning while the number of flood relief centres increased to 84 from 70.

The levels at four major rivers rose above the danger mark (9m) with Sungai Golok at 10.34m.

In Kuala Krai, 1,644 victims were evacuated to 21 centres in the afternoon, compared to 1,328 in the morning.

In Pasir Mas, the number of evacuees dropped to 10,497 at 32 centres, compared to 10,565 in the morning. The situation was similar in Tumpat, where 3,901 victims were at seven centres, compared to 3,956 earlier in the day.

The number of deaths due to the floods since Dec 16 remains at four.

In Terengganu, the number of evacuees rose drastically to 11,731 people yesterday afternoon from 6,003 in the morning, according to the Terengganu National Security Council's portal.

Kemaman district recorded a significant rise in the afternoon with 5,487 people evacuated, compared to 1,877 in the morning.

Ninety centres are still operating in Besut, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Kemaman, Kuala Terengganu, Marang and Setiu.

In Pahang, the number of flood victims went up to 2,555 from 598 families, compared to 2,386 from 560 families in the morning.

A Pahang police contingent headquarters’ flood operations room spokesman said floods also hit the district of Rompin, where 169 people from 38 families were evacuated to two centres.

“Five other districts, Kuantan, Maran, Lipis, Pekan and Jerantut, have 2,386 evacuees at 31 centres,” he said.

“Kuantan has recorded the highest number of evacuees at 1,421 (19 centres),” he added.

He said six major roads in Kuantan, Lipis and Maran were closed to all vehicles.

The Drainage and Irrigation Department's website showed four major rivers in Pahang, including two in Jerantut, having exceeded the danger levels.

In Perlis, floods started to inundate the northern part of the state since Monday following several days of continuous rain.

Residents in the affected areas were moved out late that night and the Perlis National Security Council was monitoring the situation.

So far, 93 victims from 25 families have been evacuated to three relief centres.

In Sabah, 137 flood victims from 49 families in five villages in Beaufort district were moved to the Baru Beaufort community hall since midnight on Monday.

Beaufort district officer Mohd Shaid Othman said floods also inundated 23 other villages and cut off 10 roads except to heavy vehicles.

He said the water level of Sungai Padas was at 9.3m yesterday morning.

This is the fourth occurrence of floods in Tenom and Beaufort this year.

Floods had hit the two areas in February, May and November.

In Perak, 170 flood victims in Lenggong, Sungai Siput and Ipoh were moved to five relief centres since Monday night.

Gerik district police chief Supt Abdul Manab Baharum said the floods in the Lenggong area were caused by the release of water from Kenering Dam. — Bernama

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