The ongoing floods in Pahang has almost crippled the whole of Kuantan, leaving one person dead and two missing and feared dead, with over 31,000 people seeking refuge at 105 evacuation centres as at 11.30am on Friday.

Pekan UMNO division committee member Jamali Jani, 45, and his son Megat Mohd Nazli Jamali, 17, went missing after they fell into the flood waters in Sungai Isap village at about 7.30pm Wednesday.

At noon Friday, authorities have reportedly recovered a body believed to be one of the two missing people.

The body has been sent to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.

No details have been made available as yet.

Meanwhile Mohamed Alif Khalid, 21, was found to have drowned at 4.15pm Wednesday after he was believed to have gone fishing alone at Sungai Kampung Sepial in Kuala Tembeling, Jerantut.

In light of the worsening situation, the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah visited the evacuees on Thursday and expressed his sadness to see all the helpless people gathered at relief centres.

The sultan however assured the people that priority was being given to help their needs and ensure their safety.

“The state government is working hard to help all the affected people,” he told reporters after calling at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Chung Ching which has been turned into a relief centre for more than 4,000 evacuees.
The sultan also visited two other relief centres, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Isap and Wisma Belia.
“I am saddened to see the plight of the flood victims who have gathered here, numbering more than 4,000 people. I hope and pray that the weather improves in the next two days and hopefully they can all be moved to another location,” he said.

Sultan Ahmad Shah also expressed his satisfaction with the aid extended to the flood victims from the federal and state governments as well as the private sector and individuals.

According to a spokesman for the flood operations room at the state police contingent headquarters, some 31,614 victims from 7,494 families housed 105 relief centres in eight districts as at 11.30am on Friday.

Kuantan district has recorded the highest number of flood evacuees at 27,651 from 7,442 families, who are accommodated at 50 relief centres.