SG GOLOK OVERFLOWS, INUNDATES VILLAGES
Villagers prepare to evacuate to relief centres
NON-STOP downpour since Saturday has caused water level in Sungai Golok, Rantau Panjang, to rise beyond its danger mark yesterday.
This resulted in several low-lying villages near the river to be inundated by 0.2m-high water.
Among the affected areas are Kampung Tersang, Kampung Kua and Jalan Bandar Rantau Panjang Lama.
Villagers are preparing to evacuate to flood relief centres.
Villager Che Yah Che Daud said she and her family started packing their belongings on Sunday.
“I was informed that the water level in Sungai Golok had breached its danger mark and had overflowed to nearby low-lying areas.
“If the rain continues today (yesterday), it will reach our village,” said the 53-year-old from Kampung Rantau Panjang Baru.
Another villager, Wajid Saamat, said his family was ready to be evacuated if flood hit his village.
“Normally, if Sungai Golok bursts its bank, it will flood almost 10 villages along the river and cause some 2,000 people to evacuate,” said the 31-year-old businessman from Gual Tinggi.
The state government’s flood portal showed that other rivers were safe.
Up to noon yesterday, the water level in Sungai Golok was recorded at 9.31m, which is 0.31m above its danger mark.
The portal stated that up to 1pm yesterday, the number of evacuees had increased to 663, compared with 515 at 7.30am.
The victims, from 175 families, were taking shelter at 13 flood relief centres in five districts — Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Machang, Kuala Krai and Kota Baru here.
Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahar said on Sunday that if rainfall continued for more than three consecutive days, floods would inevitably occur in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.
People living in east coast states have been told to brace for floods, as heavy rain brought by the monsoon season is expected to persist until the end of the year.