Civil Defence personnel carrying out patrols in flood-hit areas of Kubang Pasu on Tuesday (Sept 17). - Photo: Bernama
JITRA: The number of flood victims in Kedah has increased significantly, with 675 people evacuated to nine temporary evacuation centres (PPS) after floodwaters inundated their homes as of 5pm Tuesday (Sept 17).
Kedah Social Welfare Department (JKM) director Datuk Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin said the victims comprised 159 families from four districts - Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kulim, and Pokok Sena.
"Pokok Sena was the worst affected, with 255 victims from 63 families evacuated to two PPS, namely SK Bukit Hijau and Maahad Tarbiyah Islamiyah Derang.
"The Pendang district recorded 187 victims from 20 families who were evacuated to Dewan Kompleks Rakan Sukan Tanah Merah PPS," he said when met by reporters after checking the SK Malau PPS.
He said 134 victims from 45 families were evacuated to three PPS in Kubang Pasu: SK Malau, SMK Changlun, and Dewan PPK Lubuk Batu.
In Kulim, a total of 99 victims from 31 families were evacuated to three PPS: Surau Taman Sang Kancil Lunas, Surau Kampung Paya Tok Betok, and SK Mahang.
Zulkhairi said to ensure the welfare of the victims at the PPS, the department has prepared for their daily needs, especially food and other basic requirements.
"Kedah JKM is always ready to face all eventualities by ensuring that food supplies are always sufficient. The existing food supply can last for two weeks for some 10,000 victims. So far, the available supplies are sufficient to be distributed to the PPS," he said.
He added that JKM had also placed psychological officers at the PPS to help affected flood victims.
Meanwhile, during the current flood disaster, the Kedah JKM is using a new registration system by utilising QR codes to register flood victims entering and exiting the PPS.
"The move is to facilitate the registration and monitoring of flood victims at the PPS as well as ensure aid is distributed more effectively.
"When the victims scan the QR and enter the required information, they will be directly registered into the JKM disaster information system. Following this, the victims and their families will be placed in PPS, and food supplies will be distributed accordingly.
"This is the first time that this system is being used in Kedah; other states had implemented it previously. The move is to make it easier for victims so that they no longer need to fill in forms," he said. – Bernama
