KUALA LUMPUR: The number of flood victims relocated to temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in Kedah and Penang has increased this morning, while Perlis has become the latest state to open a PPS following reports of flood victims on Tuesday (Sept 17) night.
In KEDAH, state Social Welfare Department (JKM) director Datuk Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin said the number of flood victims rose to 2,194 as of 8am, compared to 675 at 5pm on Tuesday (Sept 17).
He stated that the victims comprised 388 families from six districts: Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kulim, Pokok Sena, Kuala Muda and Kota Setar, who have been relocated to 11 PPS.
"The district of Pokok Sena is the most affected, with 1,000 victims from 173 families relocated to two PPS that opened on Tuesday. In Pendang, 678 victims from 43 families were placed in one PPS that also opened the same day.
"In Kubang Pasu, 301 victims from 99 families were placed in three PPS that opened on Monday (Sept 16), while 108 victims from 34 families in Kulim were placed in three PPS that opened on Tuesday (Sept 17)," he said in a statement.
In Kuala Muda, a total of 54 victims from 23 families were placed in one PPS, and 53 victims from 16 families in Kota Setar were placed in one PPS that opened on Tuesday (Sept 17).
Meanwhile, the Public Infobanjir website of the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) reported that eight rivers in Kedah have exceeded the dangerous level: Sungai Padang Terap in Kepala Batas, Sungai Bata in Kampung Bata, Sungai Laka in Kampung Padang Pasir, Kubang Pasu, Sungai Anak Bukit in Taman Aman and Sungai Anak Bukit at the TAR Bridge, Kota Setar.
Additionally, Sungai Titi Kerbau in Kubur Panjang, Pendang, Sungai Perik in Kampung Perik, Padang Terap and Sungai Gurun in Kampung Perupok, Yan.
"Four rivers are at warning levels: Sungai Sedim in Kampung Sedim and Sungai Ketil in Kuala Pegang, Baling; Sungai Sari at the Padang Terap Sugar Factory, Padang Terap; and Sungai Kedah at the Highway Bridge, Kota Setar, while Sungai Ketil in Kampung Baru, Baling and Sungai Janing in Kampung Labi, Padang Terap are at alert levels.
In PENANG, the number of flood victims increased to 635 this morning, who are accommodated in 11 PPS, compared to 236 in seven PPS on Tuesday.
A spokesman for the Civil Defence Force in Penang said all of them, from 173 families, are accommodated in PPS in the districts of Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) and Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS).
"As of this morning, SPU recorded the highest number of flood victims, with 401 people from 103 families placed in PPS at SK Padang Menora, SK Lahar Yooi, Sekolah Agama Rakyat Nyior Sebatang and the Labuh Banting Flood Evacuation Centre," he said when contacted.
He added that in SPT, five PPS were opened, accommodating 168 victims from 46 families, namely Sekolah Rendah Islam Maahad At-Tarbiah Guar Jering, SMK Permatang Pasir, SMK Permatang Rawa, SK Seri Penanti and Dewan Orang Ramai Bukit Teh.
The spokesman said in SPS, 66 victims from 24 families were placed in Dewan MPKK Sanglang and Dewan Serbaguna Sungai Bakap. Moreover, as of 8am, some areas in the state are still experiencing rain and strong winds.
In PERLIS, the Perlis Civil Defence director Lt Col (PA) Mohd Izaimi Md Daud, said prolonged rain starting at around 6pm on Tuesday caused two PPS to open last night to accommodate 41 flood victims from 13 families.
He stated that 33 people from nine families are now at PPS SK Arau, which opened at 11.55pm, while PPS SK Sena opened at 10.50pm to accommodate eight victims from four families.
According to Public Infobanjir, Sungai Gial in Arau recorded a water level of 9.16m, exceeding the warning level, while Sungai Arau recorded a water level of 21.57m, exceeding the alert level as of 8am. – Bernama
