Terengganu flood victim count rises to 2,543

Residents of Taman Desa Tanjung Damai, Gong Badak hitching a ride on a tractor to escape flood waters. - Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU: The number of flood victims in the state rose to 2,543 involving 637 families Wednesday evening compared with 2,312 in the morning.

According to a statement issued by the State Security Council, as of 6pm the districts of Besut, Kuala Terengganu, Marang and Setiu were inundated.

In Besut, three people from a family were moved to the Kampung Beris Pak Abu community hall when their home was flooded this afternoon.

In Kuala Terengganu, 1,704 people from 435 families, compared to 1,575 people (407 families) Wednesday morning, were placed at 11 relief centres while in Marang, 818 victims from 196 families were moved to Sekolah Kebangsaan Rhu Sila and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Payong.

Meanwhile, there were 18 victims from five families in Setiu who were given  shelter at the Kampung Sungai Tok Lerek and Rhu Tapai community halls.

IN KUALA NERUS, near here, state Health Department deputy director Dr Mohamad Omar has directed 682 officers and personnel to give medical, preventive and disease control aid to flood victims in the state during the monsoon season.

A resident of Taman Desa Tanjung Damai Gong Badak in Kuala Nerus, near here, Jasmi Ismail, 41, said as soon as it started to rain last week he had started storing valuable items at a higher place.

"We started moving out at 7pm yesterday and water rose drastically to waist level by 3am. Almost all our belongings and home equipment were destroyed in a flood two years ago," he said.

IN KUALA TERENGGANU, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, in a statement to the media, urged parents to avoid allowing their children to play in flood waters and monitor their movements to avoid untoward incidents. - Bernama