Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad (right) handing over his duties to Mahdzir (second left) in Putrajaya. With them are (from left) Rural Development Deputy Minister I Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad and secretary-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus.
EFFORTS to identify the damage and costs to repair houses that were damaged in the Yan and Merbok flood tragedy in Kedah are currently being conducted by the Rural Development Ministry.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said that so far, a total of 40 houses in the affected areas had been assessed by the ministry.
“The estimated cost to repair the 40 houses is RM550,000,” he said in a press conference after a duty handover ceremony in Putrajaya recently.
Mahdzir said the ministry understood the difficulties experienced by the victims who were affected by the flash floods.
He said the ministry had coordinated its People’s Well- Being section with the Kedah Development Authority (Keda) in an effort to channel aid to the affected residents.
Workers clearing a road after a landslide at Gunung Jerai. — Filepic
He said as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during a visit last month, a RM3mil allocation would be used to repair houses that were damaged in the flood.
“Keda has also played its part in helping the victims by donating RM10,000 to the state government and allocated RM100,000 to buy necessary items and equipment.
Flood victim Rahmah Ismail from Kampung Batas Ubi in Yan sitting in her damaged kitchen. — Bernama
“Apart from the allocation, Keda also sent a total of 100 volunteers to help in the cleaning effort in the affected areas,” said Mahdzir.
Last month, flash floods from heavy rain caused a water surge and landslides in Gunung Jerai while three districts — Yan, Kuala Muda and Bandar Baharu in Kedah — were hit by flash floods.
The floods claimed six lives, injured several others, damaged numerous homes and infrastructure and affected the lives of over 1,000 people.
