KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in Kelantan and Terengganu has worsened, with the number of evacuees rising, and additional temporary evacuation centres being opened, as of 8 this evening.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kedah and Perlis became the latest states to be hit by floods today, while the situation in Perak and Johor remains unchanged.
In Kelantan, the number of evacuees increased sharply to 21,568 people this evening, compared with 12,526 reported earlier, who are being accommodated at 127 relief centres across nine districts, namely Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Kota Bharu, Tanah Merah, Machang, Tumpat, Bachok, and Jeli. The Social Welfare Department’s Info Bencana portal reported Pasir Mas recorded the highest number of evacuees, with 8,466 people accommodated at 32 centres. Other districts such as Pasir Puteh and Kota Bharu have also reported significant numbers of evacuees.
Meanwhile, six major rivers in Kelantan have exceeded the danger level with an upward trend, including Sunga
i Lanas in Jeli and Sungai Kelantan in Kuala Krai. One death was recorded in the state after a man, Tuan Mohd Zakaria Tuan Ismail, died from an electric shock while trying to unplug a washing machine in a flooded area.
In Terengganu, the number of evacuees also increased sharply to 3,768 people, compared with 1,851 people recorded this afternoon. A total of 69 relief centres have been opened across the districts of Besut, Setiu, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Marang, and Kemaman. Besut emerged as the most affected district, with over 2,000 evacuees placed in relief centres.
Water levels at 11 river monitoring stations in Terengganu have recorded readings above the danger level, posing an increased risk to residents in nearby areas. In Kedah, the Dewan KEDA Kota Aur in Sik was the latest relief centre to be opened, accommodating 52 evacuees.
In Perlis, 149 individuals were evacuated to two centres, while in Perak, the number of evacuees remained at 20 people. Johor also reported an unchanged situation with 28 eva
cuees. In Sarawak, a senior citizen died after his car was swept away by a river’s strong current.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a warning of continuous heavy rain at dangerous levels until Friday, affecting regions such as Kelantan, Terengganu, and parts of Pahang. Severe rain is also expected in several areas in Kedah, Perlis, Perak, and Pahang.