As number of victims drop, MB grateful for RM13mil in federal aid
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 8,000 people are still seeking shelter at relief centres in Kedah although the flood situation is improving.
The number of flood victims dropped to 8,394 people as of 4pm yesterday compared with 8,898 in morning.
According to the Disaster Info portal of the Social Welfare Department, the evacuees encompassing 2,713 families have been placed in 41 temporary centres in five districts.
Kota Setar district recorded the highest number of victims at 5,218 people from 1,759 families followed by Pendang (1,581 from 474 families), Kubang Pasu (933 from 288 families), Pokok Sena (515 from 158 families) and Bandar Baharu (147 people from 34 families).
The Drainage and Irrigation Department’s (DID) Public Infobanjir website said only two rivers in Kedah were still at a dangerous level, namely Sungai Anak Bukit in Taman Aman and Sungai Anak Bukit at TAR Bridge, Kota Setar.
Patiently waiting: Four-year-old Aisy Ryan Mohd Faizal sitting on plastic chairs above floodwaters while his mother prepares meals at a shop in Kampung Suka Menanti, Alor Setar. — Bernama
Meanwhile, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor extended his thanks to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following the announcement of a RM13mil allocation for post-flood aid in Kedah.
He said the state government greatly appreciated the funds, which would be used to repair damaged infrastructure, provide assistance to affected padi farmers and restore homes wrecked by the floods.
“Considering the damaged padi fields, broken infrastructure and the need to restore homes, I hope the Federal Government will consider additional allocations.
“For the RM13mil announced on Saturday, I’m truly thankful, but I’m hopeful for more support,” he told reporters during a visit to the temporary relief centre at SMK Tanah Merah here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Muhammad Sanusi said the state government had previously announced an initial assistance of RM1,000 for each household head, who had been evacuated to relief centres, with more than 2,000 affected so far.
He said while the flood had affected multiple districts, it was not as severe as the 2010 floods.
Muhammad Sanusi said he also hoped that the upcoming monsoon transition phase, forecast to begin tomorrow, would not trigger a second wave of flooding in Kedah.
In Perak, the state disaster management committee secretariat in a statement said a total of 29 people were still taking shelter at SK Changkat Lobak relief centre in Kerian, which opened on Friday after Kampung Matang Tengah was flooded.
It said the Bukit Merah Dam in Kerian reached an alert level at 9.04m.
