Easy does it: APM members helping Abd Wahab Harun, 78, who is suffering from dementia, evacuate from his home in Kampung Titi Gajah, Alor Setar. — Bernama
ALOR SETAR: More than 4,000 people were evacuated after their houses were inundated with waters as high as 1.5m following torrential rain in Kedah since Wednesday.
State Civil Defence Force (APM) deputy director Major Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain said at noon yesterday, the number of flood victims at the temporary relief centres (PPS) rose from 4,378 to 4,448 people from 1,402 families.
“The victims are from Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Sik, Padang Terap and Kuala Muda,” he said.
Muhammad Suhaimi said Kubang Pasu was the worst-hit district with 1,663 victims from 581 families.
This was followed by Padang Terap with 1,163 victims from 344 families sheltering at nine PPS, and Sik with 465 victims from 101 families now staying at seven PPS.
In Kota Setar, there were 736 evacuees from 228 families while 461 victims from 140 families were affected in Pokok Sena after their homes were flooded.
He said authorities had to set up a PPS at Dewan MPSPK in Pekan Jeniang, Kuala Muda after several villages were hit by flood waters.
Muhammad Suhaimi said more than 60 villages in the six districts were flooded after heavy rain over the last two days.
“Residents living in low-lying areas should stay alert to their surroundings and comply with instructions from authorities if asked to evacuate,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, a stroke patient from Kampung Paya Lantau in Changlun had to be rescued after his house was flooded with waters reaching more than 2m high.
Bukit Kayu Hitam fire station chief Zulkifli Manaf said the department received a distress call from the public over the deluge at about 4.43pm.
“The victim was rescued using the villagers’ boat and brought to his relatives house nearby.”
In Perlis, some 472 victims from 139 families had to take shelter at four PPS.
State APM operation officer Capt Saifuddin Abdullah said the victims were placed at the PPS in Padang Besar, Kangar and Arau.
Saifuddin urged residents to prepare emergency kits containing essential items such as food, drinking water, clothing, important documents and basic medical supplies during this monsoon season.
“Having these items ready can make a significant difference in ensuring their safety during evacuation,” he said.
While the weather in Perlis has started to improve, he said APM personnel would still be on standby and the victims would remain at the PPS for their safety.
