‘PROJECTS REDUCE FLOOD IMPACT’
Number of evacuees lower than in previous years, says Kedah menteri besar
THE floods in parts of Kedah are caused by downpours, but floodmitigation projects at the state’s main rivers have helped to keep the number of evacuees low.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the unusually heavy rainfall had caused water levels at the main rivers to rise dramatically.
However, he said, thanks to the Federal Government’s investment in flood-mitigation projects, there had been a reduced impact on those living in low-lying areas.
Bashah said the number of flood evacuees could have been higher if not for the Federal Government’s allocation of over RM1 billion to carry out flood-mitigation projects over the past years.
He said even though Kuala Muda was the worst affected district with some 500 evacuees, the number was marginal.
“The number of evacuees in Kuala Muda used to be higher, but it has improved following the completion of the RM1.4 billion Sungai Muda flood-mitigation project.
“This district used to be badly affected as Pantai Merdeka up to Kota Kuala Muda would be flooded due to continuous downpour, but the number (of evacuees) has gone down significantly.
“Except for low-lying areas like Bukit Meriam, which is located near a swampy area, many other areas are no longer affected by floods,” he said after visiting Pantai Merdeka flood evacuees at a relief centre at SK Bukit Kecil.
“The overall situation is under control, but we have ordered departments and agencies to monitor the situation as water flowing from the rivers to the sea may cause more flooding. It is compounded by high tide, which is expected to last at least another two to three days.”
He said the soon-to-be completed RM641 million Sungai Kedah-Anak Bukit flood-mitigation project was expected to reduce flood risk in Kuala Kedah.
Bashah commended government departments and agencies, assemblymen and others for ensuring that evacuees were taken care of.
Kuala Muda District Officer Md Nordin Yahya said, based on the Drainage and Irrigation Department‘s records, the rainfall in the district over the past several days was unusually high.
Nordin said the average monthly rainfall recorded in the district was about 200mm, but the downpour over the past several days was recorded at over with the police, People’s Volunteer Corps, APM, Health Department, and Fire and Rescue Department, we are trying our best to make the disabled evacuees feel comfortable.”
State Welfare Department director Mohammad Hazam Ismail said none of the relocation centres Perlis was equipped with disabled-friendly facilities.
He said it was time to install disabled-friendly facilities at 200mm per day.
“The same amount of rainfall was recorded here when the affected areas were flooded last week,” he said.
Nordin said the weather was improving, and two flood relief centres in the district — SK Bukit Kechil and Dewan Kampung Jilid 8 — were closed yesterday.
Three flood relief centres — one in Kota Setar and two in Kubang Pasu — were also closed yesterday. However, the number of evacuees soared to 2,280 as at 8pm.
Kedah Civil Defence Force Disaster Management Committee coordinator Saifuddin Abdullah said 17 flood relief centres were operating, and the authorities were bracing for more evacuations following a forecast of heavy rainfall later this evening. these buildings.
“It is not often that buildings, such as schools or community hall, are used to shelter natural disaster victims, but I believe it will pay off to upgrade them to cater to physically-challenged people.
“By having ramps for wheelchairs and disabled-friendly restrooms, those in need can move around with greater ease and safety.”