ALOR SETAR: With the monsoon season showing no signs of slowing down, all relevant agencies in the state of Kedah have been put on standby to brace for the fourth wave of flooding.
Kedah Civil Defence Force (APM) deputy director Major (PA) Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain said although the weather was unpredictable, the team was ready to face any eventualities.
“On our part, we are on standby for more rain and flooding.
“It has been sunny today, though it did rain in several places last night,” he said.
Muhammad Suhaimi said the number of evacuees had gone up yesterday to 3,655 persons from 1,163 families compared to Thursday, where there were 3,474 evacuees from 1,113 families.
“Four districts are still affected, namely Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena and Pendang, resulting in 24 relief centres being opened.
“The highest number of evacuees are from Kota Setar, totalling 1,697 people from 517 families followed by Kubang Pasu, with 870 people from 307 families.
“In Pokok Sena, there are 574 people from 200 families and Pendang recorded 514 people from 139 families.
“Relief efforts are ongoing and our personnel have been deployed at various locations to help the affected residents,” he said, adding that five rivers in the state have exceeded the danger level.
Meanwhile, Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said some 3,000 padi farmers have been affected by the floods, with 6,000ha of crops damaged.
“There has been no rain in the last two days in Padang Terap, but the damage has been done from the rain earlier in the week.
“This is the third wave of flooding and although the water is slowly subsiding, the farmers are struggling with their crops.
“Almost 3,000 farmers have suffered losses amounting to an estimated RM45mil,” he said.
Dr Ismail said Mada has been giving out aid to the affected farmers and they were now in the process of collecting data to be sent to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
“This is the second padi season and once the padi fields dry up, they will have to start all over again. They will need to plough the field first and then plant the padi seeds,” he said.
In Perlis, there was also a slight increase in the number of evacuees, with 519 people at the shelters compared to 518 on Thursday night.
Perlis Civil Defence Force director Lieutenant Colonel (PA) Mohd Izaimi Md Daud said there were four relief centres in Arau and Kangar.
“The areas still affected by floods include Kampung Tok Kandang, Kampung Bakau and Kampung Repoh in Kangar, and Kampung Kubang Gajah, Kampung Banat and Kampung Behor Gelam in Arau,” he said.
