ALOR SETAR: Residents living in low-lying areas in the three northern states have been warned to brace for more rain in the coming days.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast continuous rainfall in Perlis, Kedah and Penang until today.
As of yesterday, a total of 259 hotspots had been identified as flood-prone areas in Kedah.
ALSO READ: 4,795 flood-prone spots identified
Several houses in Kampung Pokok Machang and Kampung Sena were inundated.
A primary school in Changlun was also not spared and pupils had to be moved from their affected classes to safety.
The number of evacuees at flood shelters in Kubang Pasu increased from 61 to 123 in just a day.
In a statement, the Kedah Disaster Management Committee said a total of 123 people from 36 families were currently seeking shelter at SMK Changlun.
They comprised 33 men and 38 women, 16 boys and 25 girls, as well as 10 senior citizens and a baby.
Although it has been raining continuously in Perlis, the situation is under control.
A check around Pauh showed that flash floods in Kampung Ulu Pauh and Kampung Ulu Pauh Tengah had receded.
However, several houses at Kampung Titi Besi in Arau were inundated because of the rising water level at Sungai Arau.
State exco for environment Megat Hashirat Hassan, who is also the Pauh assemblyman, said 70 people in 13 residential premises in Kampung Titi Besi were affected.
“Some 15 houses in Pauh were inundated, but water had receded and, so far, no flood shelters are needed as the situation is under control.
“The state government together with the Civil Defence Force, police and National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) have channelled aid such as food items and other essentials to those affected,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nadma Perlis secretariat has issued a warning that the water levels of Sungai Jarum and Sungai Arau are rising and at a dangerous level.
Sungai Jarum’s water level reached 34.31m, which is above the normal level of 33.3m while the level of Sungai Arau has reached 6.85m, exceeding the normal level of 6.5m.
