1,906 evacuated to 34 relief centres in Kedah

ALOR STAR: More than 1,900 people have been evacuated as floods worsened in Kedah yesterday.

State Civil Defence director Lieutenant-Colonel Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsuddin said victims from 529 families were moved to 34 relief centres in Kuala Muda, Kulim, Yan, Baling and Bandar Baharu.

“Until 4pm (yesterday), the number of evacuees is 1,906. There were 1,025 at noon.”

He said the authorities had set up 14 centres each in Kuala Muda and Kulim, four in Yan and one each in Bandar Baharu and Baling.

“Kulim is the worst-hit, with more than 1,000 flood victims, followed by Kuala Muda, with about 500 evacuees.”

Zul Khairi said affected areas included Kampung Tepi Kuala Sungai, Kampung Haji Kudong, Kampung Batu 5, Kampung Sungai Bongkok and Kampung Kepala Bukit, all in Kuala Muda.

“Rescue operations are ongoing. So far, the flood has not affected any roads.”

He said the number of evacuees was expected to rise as rain had not stopped and water levels of rivers were rising.

A total of 28 Perak Health Department employees were rescued yesterday after they were stranded for hours at the foot of Gunung Jerai.

Fire and Rescue Department personnel rescued them after receiving a report. Everyone was brought to safety at 4am.

The employees were hiking on Gunung Jerai on Saturday, but could not leave when the water level of Sungai Titi Hayun rose following heavy rains since Friday.