Nearly 200 Social Development Department (Kemas) kindergartens were destroyed in the recent floods in Terengganu and Kelantan that incurred losses estimated at RM2.3 million.

Kemas director-general Datuk Amiruddin Ariffin said investigations by the department revealed 75 Terengganu kindergartens and 123 kindergartens in Kelantan were badly damaged in the floods.

Buildings and various equipment of 41 kindergartens attended by some 800 children in Terengganu were also damaged by storms and floods.

"The cost to repair these 41 kindergartens in Terengganu is estimated at RM1.8 million while repairs for Kelantan kindergartens will cost RM500,000," he told reporters during his visit to Tabika Kemas An Nur here today.

He said Kemas kindergartens in Besut were the worst affected as 35 kindergartens were involved.

"Our department will immediately restore the damaged kindergartens to make learning conducive and comfortable for the children," he said.

Amiruddin said Kemas would also rent buildings nearby the affected kindergartens while the damaged schools were being repaired.

In Kuala Berang, the Malaysian Consumers Protection Association (PPPM) today donated biscuits, fruits and drinking water worth RM50,000 to flood victims through the Hulu Terengganu district office.

Meanwhile, district officer Azmi Razik said for the past three days volunteers from various government agencies, universities and NGOs had been cleaning up the flood affected areas.

"It is heartening to receive donations and support from all over the country to help with the clean up," said Azmi after a clean-up operation at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Ping, Hulu Terengganu. - BERNAMA