Penang fully recovered from floods

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng declared that the state has fully recovered from the worst floods on record.

The major floods last month had disrupted the state for about 15 days with the local authorities taking several days to clear the debris and mud left behind.

Lim said this was good news for the tourism sector as tourists from China can now make their annual year-end visit to the state.

The floods last month caused significant damage to the state. Accompanied by strong winds which blew away roofs along the coastal stretch, it alsio triggered landslides along hilly areas. About 100,000 people were affected and losses are expected to be in the millions.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that more flood victims in the east coast states returned home yesterday as flood waters continue to recede.

As at noon yesterday, the number of evacuees in Kelantan had dropped to 6,637 from 2,443 families compared to 8,134 people at 8am.

These evacuees were being accommodated at 23 relief centres in three districts, namely Pasir Mas, Tumpat and Pasir Puteh, according to the infobanjir application of the Social Welfare Department.

In TERENGGANU, 805 or less people from 188 families are staying at seven evacuation centres in four districts, compared to 878 from 202 families, on Sunday night.

The number of affected residents in Kuala Nerus had dropped to 701 (162 families) from 761 (172 families) on Sunday night, but remained the highest.

Terengganu Civil Defence Force director Lieutenant Col Che Adam A Rahman said Marang recorded a decrease to 39 (11 families) from 52 (15 ), who are sheltered at SK Bukit Gasing and SK Pasir Putih, while in Dungun, the number remained at 33 (eight families) who are staying at Dewan Sivik Paka.

As for Setiu District, the number remained at 32 (seven families) who are staying at Surau Kampung Nyatoh, he said.