360 flood victims evacuated in Kedah

A total of 360 people from 102 families were sheltered at five centres in Kedah until 4pm Wednesday as floods inundated several areas in the state.

State flood operations room duty officer Marwani Omar said 45 victims from 12 families in Baling took refuge at Surau Ladang Kuala Ketil while 65 victims from 19 families from Kota Setar were housed at Surau Syakirin, Kampung Kelompang Hall and Sekolah Kebangsaan Titi Gagah.

In Pendang, 250 victims from 71 families were placed at the Tanah Merah Rakan Muda Sports Complex since Tuesday.

The number of flood victims is expected to rise due to heavy rains since the past few days.

In TASEK GELUGOR, Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said police beat bases were set up in flood-hit areas while policemen carried out patrols, including by boats to ensure public safety and prevent theft of properties.

He was speaking to reporters after handing over cash aid from the Penang police to 11 families involving 40 people sheltered at the Labung Banting evacuation centre here Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shahbudin Yahaya said 419 more victims were allowed to go home after floods in their areas receded.

"Seven flood relief centres have been closed while only one in Lebuh Banting still open," he added.

Seberang Perai Utara flood operations room spokesman said 21 flood victims in Kepala Batas, namely in Pantai Kamloon and Bumbung Lima were also allowed to go home.