ARAU: Approximately 4,300 hectares of padi fields in Perlis are estimated to have been affected by flooding, involving areas within and outside the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) region. State Agriculture, Plantation and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Razali Saad said the full extent of the damage to the padi fields would be determined after a comprehensive survey.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Razali Saad mentioned that his team had inspected several affected padi fields and identified the issues faced by the farmers. He has instructed MADA to assess the need for mobile pumps to provide immediate assistance to the affected farmers. Razali highlighted that besides MADA, the state’s Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) also has mobile pumps that could help resolve the problem of water accumulation in flooded padi fields. Together, MADA and DID have nearly 30 mobile pumps available.

He further stated that immediate action had been taken to address the drainage pipes that hindered
the water flow to canals, which led to flooding in several areas, including Kampung Bakong, Kubang Gajah, Jejawi, Alor Banat, and Pulau Lincai. Razali instructed the Public Works Department to direct contractors to remove obstructive drainage pipes to mitigate the situation.

Continuous rainfall in Perlis last Tuesday caused flooding in several areas in Arau, Padang Besar, and Kangar, prompting the opening of four temporary relief centres. As the situation improves, three of these centres have been closed yesterday and the day before.