Number of evacuees drops to 9,607

KUALA LUMPUR: Floods affecting several northern and east coast states continued to ease yesterday, with 9,607 victims at 79 evacuation centres as of 4pm, according to the National Disaster Command Centre (NDCC).

This indicated a gradual downward trend, with numbers declining from the peak recorded between Nov 26 and Nov 29, when daily victim counts surged above 30,000 people and reached critical levels on Nov 28.

Perak, Selangor, Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang and Kedah remain impacted by floods.

Perak logged the highest number of displacement with 3,837 victims at 21 evacuation centres, followed by Selangor (2,752 victims at 23 centres) and Perlis (1,428 victims at 11 centres).

Perak’s most affected district is Hilir Perak where 1,825 victims seek shelter at 10 centres.

In Selangor, the highest number of flood victims is in Kuala Selangor (2,417 victims in 14 centres). Sepang, Kuala Langat and Sabak Bernam showed signs of improvement.

Perlis reported encouraging recovery, with numbers steadily falling over the past 48 hours as at press time.

Terengganu and Kelantan also showed improving trends.

In Kelantan, only one district, Pasir Mas, remains an active flood zone in the state, where 353 people are seeking shelter.

The NDCC confirmed three cumulative deaths since Nov 13, one each in Tanah Merah and Gua Musang, Kelantan, and in Sepang, Selangor.

Two landslide events occurred in Gua Musang, as well as Cameron Highlands, in Pahang.

Telemetry monitoring indicated no river systems were at “danger” level, although Johor and Kelantan maintained several stations at “caution” level.

The Meteorological Department warned of thunderstorms and strong winds across waters off East Johor, Terengganu, Sabah, Labuan and parts of Sarawak, a risk that may trigger waves of up to 3.5m and winds of 50km/h, posing danger particularly to small craft and coastal settlements.