Flood situation in Kelantan worsens, but Terengganu and Pahang look better
KOTA BARU: More people are being evacuated in Kelantan due to the floods, but the situation in Terengganu and Pahang has improved slightly over the last 24 hours, with more evacuees able to return home as waters receded.
In Kelantan, the number of districts affected now total nine, with Jeli being the latest to be inundated with floodwater.
The other districts are Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, Pasir Putih, Machang, Tumpat, Kuala Krai, Bachok and Kota Baru.
Meanwhile, the flood in the state has claimed two victims since it started on Friday. Both victims, a 7-year-old boy and a 49-year-old labourer, drowned in separate incidents in Pasir Putih and Tumpat.
State police chief Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan said the overall flood situation in Kelantan remained under control although the number of evacuees was increasing.
“Police and other relevant agencies will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure no untoward incidents occur and to rescue flood victims immediately.”
Meanwhile, the number of evacuees rose drastically to 9,409 up to 5pm yesterday compared with 6,698 at 11.30am. The flood victims are now taking shelters at 83 relief centres in all nine affected districts.
Four rivers remained above danger levels up to 4pm yesterday.
These are Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang and Jenob, and Sungai Kelantan in Kusial and Kuala Krai.
Three are above their alert marks, while the other is above its warning level.
In Terengganu, there was slight improvement, as the number of evacuees dropped from 6,025 in the morning to 5,401 as at 4pm. There are 116 centres opened across seven districts: Besut, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu, Dungun, Kemaman, Marang and Kuala Nerus, compared with 123 earlier.
Besut has 50 centres with 1,846 victims from 485 families up to 4pm yesterday, a drop from 1,942 people (525 families).
In Setiu, 28 centres are sheltering 1,795 victims from 516 families. Earlier, there were 1,785 people from 544 families.
Hulu Terengganu has 22 centres operating with 1,234 victims from 438 families yesterday evening, a drop from 1,679 victims from 295 families at 26 centres up to 12pm.
In Dungun, 384 victims from 107 families were housed at 10 centres up to 4pm, compared with 352 people from 101 families at eight centres.
Marang remains unchanged with two centres with 71 victims from 16 families, while Kuala Nerus has 38 victims from 10 families at two centres.
In Kemaman, only two centres were opened with 33 victims from 10 families seeking shelter, from 183 victims (52 families).
In Pahang, the only flood relief centre in Rompin has closed as evacuees were allowed to return home following improved weather conditions.
According to the disaster management agency, the centre in Kampung Janglau was closed at 11am yesterday after the family of three left.
Rompin only experienced a short thunderstorm in the morning, and it was dry throughout the day, with strong winds between 8 and 11kph.
Jalan Kampung Kurnia Setajam to Bukit Lepas, which had been closed due to flooding, was also reopened after the water receded.
However, Jalan Utama Denai/Mentelong is still inundated at a 150m stretch and closed to light vehicles.
Motorists have been advised to use the Jalan Ladang YP as an alternative route.
“The situation is still under control, but authorities must remain cautious.
“Floodwaters are filling the main drainage systems and Sungai Anak Endau is moving fast.
“We are monitoring the rivers, especially in areas prone to high-flooding such as Kampung Kelly Setajam, Kampung Kasing Pianggu and Kampung Garong Sarang Tiong,” said Civil Defence Force director Colonel Zainal Yusoff.
Up to 6pm, Sungai Puteri at Kampung Rompin was at the precaution level at 2.66m. Its normal level is 1.4m, while the danger zone level is 3.2m.
Sungai Endau at Tanjung Gemok was at 0.44m, way below its normal reading of 2.5m.
Sungai Pukin at Jambatan Selancar was 41.63m, still within the normal category. Its danger zone is 45m.
Meanwhile, up to 1.23pm, the high tide stood at 2.1m, a drop from 2.46m yesterday morning.