KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in the Malaysian states of Kelantan and Terengganu shows signs of improvement, with the number of evacuees decreasing significantly. However, in Johor, authorities have opened a new relief center to accommodate the rising number of displaced residents as of 8 p.m.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan has witnessed a reduction in evacuees, with 573 people from 178 families currently housed in nine relief centers, down from 621 people earlier. Tanah Merah remains the most affected area, sheltering 571 individuals from 177 families across eight centers, while a single family of two is lodged at a center in Kuala Krai. Despite the improvement, the water level of Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang remains above the danger threshold, standing at 10.32 meters, surpassing the critical level of 9.0 meters.

In Terengganu, most evacuees have returned home, leaving only 44 people from 12 families in two relief centers in Besut, a sharp decline from 238 individuals earlier in the day. Nevertheless, water levels at Sungai Nerus in Kampung Bukit, Setiu and Sungai Telemong in Kuala Ping, Hulu Terengganu continue to exceed warning levels, indicating that vigilance is still necessary.

Meanwhile, in Johor, a new relief center has been opened in response to rising floodwaters. Tan Sri Dr. Azmi Rohani, the state disaster management committee chairman, reported that the Dewan Kampung Baru Sungai Mas center is currently housing 13 victims from three families. Additionally, the newly established center at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gambut, which opened at 6:45 p.m., is sheltering another 13 evacuees from four families. Several rivers in Johor are now at alert levels, including Sungai Muar in Segamat, Sungai Siku in Kulai, Sungai Ulu Pontian Besar in Kulai, Sungai Ulu Sedili Besar in Kota Tinggi, and Sungai Paya Dato’ in Mersing, indicating ongoing flood risks in the region.