Perlis Hits By Floods As Evacuee Numbers Rise In Kelantan, Kedah And Terengganu

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Perlis has become the latest state affected by floods, while the number of evacuees at temporary relief centres in Kelantan, Kedah, and Terengganu has increased as of this evening.

In PERLIS, more than 200 victims from the Padang Besar district have been placed at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Titi Tinggi, SK Lubuk Sireh and SK Felda Mata Air.

State Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt Col (PA) Mohd Izaimi Md Daud said six areas were inundated, comprising Kampung Titi Tinggi, Kampung Jalan Sahabat, Kampung Guar Tinggi, Kampung Bukit Cabang, Kampung Wang Kelian and FELCRA Lubuk Sireh.

"It has been raining since yesterday, and water levels began rising in those areas at about 6 am. The Perlis APM will continue monitoring the flood situation from time to time," he told Bernama today.

Meanwhile, according to the Social Welfare Department's (JKM) InfoBencana portal, the number of flood victims in KELANTAN has risen to 5,463 people from 2,047 families as of this evening, up from 1,623 this morning. They are being housed at 26 relief centres across the four affected districts: Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Bachok, and Pasir Puteh.

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage's public infobanjir portal showed that the water level at Sungai Melor at the Melor Bridge is 7.46 metres, exceeding the alert level of 7 metres.

In KEDAH, the number of flood victims increased to 356 people from 106 families as of 3 pm, compared with 225 people from 66 families this morning.

The State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) in a statement said that all victims from the Kulim district were evacuated to  Masjid Al-Muhtadin Sungai Seluang, the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) Naga Lilit surau, and SK Permatang Tok Dik.

"The victims are from nine villages, including Kampung Siam, Kampung Bukit Sarang Ayam, Kampung Paya Serdang, Kampung Titi Tok Aris and Kampung Padang Cina," the statement said.

The number of flood victims in TERENGGANU has also surged to 531 people from 146 families as of 3 pm, compared with 264 victims from 87 families this morning.

According to JKM's InfoBencana website, Besut is the second district hit by floods, with 244 victims from 65 families taking shelter at SK Kuala Besut and SK Pulau Perhentian. Kuala Nerus recorded 287 victims from 81 families who are being housed at Masjid Pulau Redang.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in Hat Yai, THAILAND, is improving, with water levels beginning to recede and the evacuation of Malaysians proceeding smoothly.

Malaysia's Consul-General in Songkhla, Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi, said the consulate and local authorities are working to relocate Malaysians from flooded areas to safer locations.

"It is still raining in Hat Yai, but floodwaters have receded from chest level yesterday to knee level today. Food assistance and evacuation efforts are being carried out in coordination with local authorities," he told Bernama.

The Consulate office, in a separate statement, urged all Malaysians stranded at hotels in Hat Yai to wait at their respective lodgings to facilitate temporary evacuation to safe zones by local authorities.

Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry said that some 4,000 Malaysians in Hat Yai and surrounding areas were affected by the floods, but all have been reported safe.

-- BERNAMA