Flood Situation In Perak Worsens, Over 2,000 People Evacuated To 22 Relief Centres

IPOH, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The flood situation in Perak has worsened, with 2,171 people from 759 families evacuated to 22 temporary relief centres as of 8 am today.

The State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat said that 19 centres were opened in Larut Matang Selama (LMS), which houses 1,784 people, and three in Manjung, which shelters 387 residents.

The relief centres in LMS included Dewan Perdana Trong, Dewan Orang Ramai Sungai Baru, Trong, Masjid Al-Wusta Batu 8, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Simpang and SK Batu Hampar; while the three in Manjung involved SK Sungai Batu, SK Beruas and Sekolah Agama Raktar (SAR) Padang Serai.

Heavy rain since yesterday morning caused water to rise in several areas in the two districts, with rescue operations and assistance being provided by the Civil Defence Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, the police and the Social Welfare Department.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department this morning forecast rain and thunderstorms to hit the districts of LMS, Kerian, Manjung, Perak Tengah, Bagan Datuk and Hilir Perak.

Three rivers - Kolam Bukit Merah, Sungai Kampar and Sungai Slim - are at danger level.

-- BERNAMA