East coast floods deteriorate, more victims evacuated

KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation on the east coast has deteriorated following heavy rain forcing more victims to be evacuated to temporary relief centres in the affected states.

In KELANTAN, a total of 2,142 evacuees from 567 families were moved to the relief centres as of this afternoon, compared to 125 this morning.

The Welfare Department Disaster Info application reported that the Jeli district has the highest number of evacuees at 1,060 (296 families) housed at 10 relief centres.

In Kuala Krai, 18 relief centres are operational to shelter 643 victims from 144 families; 11 in Tanah Merah (352 victims from 98 families); four in Gua Musang (54 from 13 families) and two in Pasir Mas (33 from 16 families).

According to infobanjir.water.gov.my six rivers in the state have breached the danger level namely Sungai Galas in Limau Kasturi, Gua Musang at 60.13 metres (m) (danger level of 59.00 m); Sungai Lebir in Tualang, Kuala Krai 35.58 m (35.00 m); Sungai Kelantan in Kuala Krai 26.65 m (25.00 m); Sungai Kelantan in Kusial, Tanah Merah 16.70 m (16.00 m); Sungai Golok in Jenob 24.24 (23.50 m); and Sungai Galas in Dabong 39.26 m (38.00 m).

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage said floods were expected to hit the Kuala Krai district at noon involving the Sungai Galas river basin namely Pekan Dabong, Pengkalan Bot Kampung Bahagia and surrounding areas.

It said floods were also expected in the afternoon involving Sungai Nal, Sungai Durian and Sungai Pahi affecting Kampung Bedal, Kampung Sireh, Taman Warisan, Kampung Kuala Pertang, Kampung Ngagoh, Kampung Pahi and Kampung Aur Duri, Kampung Guchil, Kampung Jirat, Kampung Gatal, Kampung Batu Mengkebang, Kampung Keroh, Kampung Batu Jong and surrounding areas.

In Gua Musang, floods were predicted in the afternoon to hit Kampung Limau Kasturi and its surrounding areas, it said.

Two main roads in the Jeli district are closed to all vehicles namely Jalan Jeli-Dabong (Kampung Reka) inundated by one-metre of floodwaters and Jalan Jeli-Dabong in front of the Road Transport Department in Kuala Balah which is submerged under up to one metre of water.

TERENGGANU is facing a similar situation, according to State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat head Lt Kol (PA) Che Adam A Rahman, who said the number of evacuees rose to 910 as at 3 pm from 267 victims this morning.