Temporary home: APM personnel setting up tents for flood victims at a relief centre in Baling. — Photo courtesy of APM
ALOR SETAR: Residents living in low-lying areas in Baling are advised to brace for more rain in the coming days.
State Civil Defence Force (APM) disaster management secretariat chief Mejar (PA) Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain said although the flood situation has eased, the frequent rain in most areas could spell another flash flood.
“Residents in high-risk areas like Baling must always be prepared for flooding and be alert if there is a sudden rise in water levels,” he said yesterday.
Most of the villages in Baling sit at the base of a wide valley, walled by hilly ranges and the Titiwangsa mountain range to the east.
Rescue operation: Members from APM helping to evacuate several flood victims in Baling on Thursday. — Photo courtesy of APM
Mejar Muhammad Suhaimi called on residents to heed the authorities’ instruction to evacuate should floods occur in their village.
Updating the flood situation in Kedah, Mejar Muhammad Suhaimi said all 166 victims from 134 families in Baling and Bandar Baharu had been allowed to return home as of yesterday and three flood evacuation centres were closed.
The evacuees were from Kampung Siput, Kampung Baru, Kampung Batu Lapan, Kampung Sri Ketengga, Kampung Bukit Sebelah, Kampung Cenerai, Kampung Batu 60, Kampung Kuala Kedua, Kampung Memali and Kampung Cherok Meranti.
Mejar Muhammad Suhaimi said residents could begin the clean-up process.
He added that the situation also improved in Kulim, Kuala Muda and Jeneri.
He said APM personnel were deployed to high-risk locations to monitor river levels and low-lying areas.
“Please always be on alert, especially during this monsoon transition season,” Mejar Muhammad Suhaimi said.
Floods destroyed many village homes in Baling last year, and a few people drowned.
Several water treatment plants along Sungai Muda, including those supplying water to about 80% of Penang’s population, were shut down because mud had washed down from the highlands, making the water too turbid to be treated.
