Floods: 52 evacuated from Bukit Mertajam villages

BUKIT MERTAJAM: A total of 52 people from 12 families from Kampung Kota here have been evacuated to a temporary relief centre after their houses were hit by flash floods on Thursday (Sept 21) night.

Central Seberang Prai Civil Defence Force officer Captain (PA) Mohd Fadhil Fahmi Zaini said the victims were relocated to Dewan MPKK Kampung Kota after flood waters rose at their villages.

"The centre was activated at about 11pm after villagers alerted us to the flash flood in their village," he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 22).

Capt Mohd Fadhil said a team was deployed to the scene to help in the evacuation process.

He said their personnel were also helping the state Welfare Department at the centre with logistics and safety matters.

He said the heavy downpour began at about 10pm and also caused the waters of Sungai Junjong and Sungai Prai to rise, although they were still below the danger level.

He said the flood situation was being monitored by the relevant agencies.

SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Said was also hit by flash floods but lessons went on without much disruption.

A teacher there who wished to remain anonymous said about 10 classrooms were flooded and the students were relocated to unaffected rooms.

He said some 20 members of the Adventure Touring Motorsport Group volunteered to clean the school compound from 8am to 4pm.

The school's canteen and a workshop were also affected.