PETALING JAYA: The number of flood victims, particularly in the East Coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu, has risen sharply on Thursday (Nov 28) morning.
In KELANTAN, the number of flood victims has surged to 29,023 from 21,568 who were housed in temporary relief centres (PPS) as of 8pm Wednesday (Nov 27) night.
ALSO READ: Floods: TNB shuts down 11 substations in Kelantan
According to the the Social Welfare Department's Info Bencana portal, Pasir Mas recorded the highest number of evacuees with 11,698 people in 40 PPS, followed by Tanah Merah with 3,224 (22 PPS), and Kuala Krai with 2,826 in 25 PPS.
Other affected areas include Pasir Puteh with 2,757 victims in 16 PPS, Tumpat with 2,405 (seven PPS), Kota Bharu 2,157 (17 PPS), Bachok 1,433(six PPS), Machang 1,750 (12 PPS), and Jeli with 773 evacuees in six PPS.
Malay language daily Sinar Harian also reported that Rantau Panjang has been paralysed by rising waters, with Sungai Golok recorded at 11.42m, exceeding the previous highest level recorded during the catastrophic floods of 2014.
ALSO READ: DID issues flood warning, 30 villages in Pasir Puteh expected to be inundated
Resident Fadhli Mat Yusof told Sinar Harian that the rising waters were traumatic as it reminded him of the 2014 tragedy.
"We had prepared early because according to elders and past experiences, there's a significant flood every 10 years.
"In 2004, 2014 and now in 2024, Sungai Golok's water level has quickly reached 11.42m.
"Our house is two-storeys, but the constantly rising water is very worrying. We will move if necessary," he said when contacted by Sinar Harian.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in TERENGGANU has also worsened, with the number of evacuees increasing to 8,215 compared to 3,768 as of 8pm Wednesday.
ALSO READ: Flood: 20 water discharge channels opened in Sungai Golok
The State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat reported that the worst-hit district, Besut, recorded 3,205 victims from 838 families sheltered at 51 PPS, while Hulu Terengganu recorded 2,039 victims (713 families) in 32 PPS.
In Setiu, 2,022 victims (577 families) are at 28 PPS, Kemaman has 503 victims (141 families) in 14 PPS, Dungun reports 344 victims (102 families) in five PPS, and Marang has 102 victims (27 families) in two PPS.
Water levels at 13 river stations across the state have exceeded the danger level, including Sungai Setiu at Kampung Besut, Setiu; Sungai Besut at Jambatan Jerteh, Besut; Sungai Dungun at Kuala Jengai, Dungun; Sungai Berang at Kampung Menerong, Hulu Terengganu; and Sungai Kemaman at Jambatan Air Putih, Kemaman.
In the north of the peninsula, KEDAH has also recorded an increase in flood victims, with 569 evacuees from 197 families as of 8am compared to 52 from 16 families last night.
Kedah Civil Defence Force (APM) Deputy Director Mejar (PA) Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain said all the victims from the Kubang Pasu and Sik districts are currently housed in seven PPS.
"Five new PPS have been opened in Kubang Pasu, bringing the total to six PPS in the district. They include SMK Changlun, SMK Binjai, SK Felda Batu 8, SK Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, SK Malau, and Dewan PPK Lubuk Batu, which accommodate 535 victims from 184 families.
"Meanwhile, in Sik, 34 victims from 13 families are housed at Dewan KEDA Kota Aur, which has been open since yesterday,” he said in a statement Thursday.
In PERLIS, the number of flood victims has also increased to 243 from 69 families, compared to 149 from 43 families last night.
Perlis Civil Defence Director Lt Col (PA) Mohd Izaimi Md Daud said the number of flood victims in Arau stands at 121, currently housed at PPS SK Guar Nangka and PPS SK Arau, with 71 and 50 people, respectively.
In PERAK, the number of flood victims remains at 20 from seven families housed at SK Haji Parit Aman in Kerian as of 8am Thursday.
The State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat said the victims were residents from the affected areas of Kampung Parit Ali Kalang and Kampung Parit Air Itam 2 in the district.
The Irrigation and Drainage Department reported that the water level at Sungai Rui, at Jambatan Jalan Raya Perak (RHN) in Hulu Perak, is at the danger level of 166.02m.
Similarly, in JOHOR, the number of flood victims remains at 28 people from eight families housed at PPS Balai Raya Batu Badak, according to State Disaster Management Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani.
In a statement, he said as of Thursday morning, two rivers are at warning levels: Sungai Tiram at Kampung Bukit Dagang, Johor Bahru, and Sungai Paya Dato, Mersing.
