Over 140,000 evacuated as floods worsen

KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in several states has worsened, with the number of evacuees rising to 142,684 this evening, and four fatalities have been reported so far.

The first casualty of the flood was Tuan Jusoh Tuan Hassan, 66, from Kampung Pinang, Besut, Terengganu, who was found drowned on Nov 28.

Two more deaths were reported from the landslide tragedy in Kampung Bukit Apit, Ajil, Hulu Terengganu yesterday. The victims were identified as Puteri Sajidah Azman, 16, and her sister, Siti Fatimah, 13.

Meanwhile, a one-year-old boy drowned after falling into floodwaters at his house in Kampung Cherang Melintang, Tumpat, on Thursday.

In KELANTAN, the number of evacuees rose to 91,279 from 28,263 families as of 3.30 pm today, up from 80,640 this morning, with all taking shelter in 288 relief centres (PPS).

According to the Social Welfare Department's (JKM) Info Bencana portal, Pasir Mas remained the worst-hit district with 27,845 evacuees, followed by Tumpat (15,636), Kota Bharu (13,271), Pasir Puteh (8,943), Bachok (6,634), Kuala Krai (6,591), Machang (6,042), Tanah Merah (5,284), Jeli (1,005), and Gua Musang (27).

The infobanjir.water.gov.my portal reported that water levels in seven major rivers remained above the danger level but were showing a downward trend.

The rivers are Sungai Kelantan in Kusial Baru (18.31m), Sungai Kelantan in Kusial (18.36m), Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang (11.22m), Sungai Kelantan at Tambatan Diraja (5.63m), Sungai Golok in Tumpat (4.26m), Sungai Melor in Bachok (9.33m), and Sungai Semerak in Pasir Puteh (4.19m).

In TERENGGANU, the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNT) secretariat said that 39,954 people had been relocated to PPS in eight districts as of 4 pm, an increase from 35,124 people this morning.

In Kuala Terengganu, 1,451 evacuees from 360 families were taking shelter in five PPS, while in Besut, 15,675 people from 4,149 families were relocated to 121 PPS.

In Marang, 770 evacuees from 199 families were accommodated in eight PPS, Hulu Terengganu (6,606 evacuees from 2,094 families in 65 PPS), Kemaman (2,501 evacuees from 677 families in 20 PPS), Setiu (6,683 evacuees from 1,774 families in 52 PPS), and Kuala Nerus (958 evacuees from 254 families in six PPS).