One of three Kemaman flood relief centres closes

A car stranded in flood waters during the heavy rains at Batu Buruk beach Kuala Terengganu.

KEMAMAN: The number of flood evacuees in Kemaman has dropped slightly on Tuesday, with 90 people from 21 families still in shelters compared with 111 evacuees from 27 families the night before.

Of the three relief centres, the one in Kampung Batu 9, Ibok was closed after those taking shelter there returned home.

State Civil Defence Force director Lt Col Che Adam A Rahman said families were forced to evacuate their home and take refuge at three evacuation centres in the district after their homes were inundated by flood waters as high as one metre due to a heavy downpour which started about midnight on Monday followed by intermittent rain.

"Currently the two evacuation centres remaining open are SMK Badrul Alam Shah in Kemasik with 58 people from 14 families and Kampung Padang Kemunting hall housing 32 victims from seven families.

"The heavy downpour on Monday which caused the closure of Jalan Felda Mengkawang-Tersat in Hulu Terengganu to light vehicles was reopened at about 8pm on Monday.

"Our men are also on standby in case of any eventuality," he said, adding that the flood was mainly due to a narrow drainage system that slowed the flow of water.

The Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow alert in Terengganu and rain is expected in the state until Dec 28.