PASIR MAS – The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department has expressed concern over some flood victims evacuating without the supervision of security agencies.
Its assistant director (operations) Mohd Wildan Azhari said about 80% of flood victims at relief centres (PPS) had arrived there using their own boats.
There are also those who waded through floodwaters from their home to the relief centres, he said, adding that in doing so, they are exposing themselves to danger.
Based on the department's data, there are more flood victims at relief centres who arrived on their own instead of being rescued and sent there, he said at the Rantau Panjang Fire and Rescue station near here yesterday.
As such, he is seeking the cooperation of residents in flood-affected areas to first get help from the authorities involved in rescue operations if they need to be evacuated to avoid any untoward incidents.
"It would be better if the residents can also provide the necessary information to the authorities, for example, if there are persons with disabilities or who are ill in the family,” he said.
The flood situation in Kelantan is reportedly worsening, with 851 people, comprising 233 families, forced to evacuate to 25 relief centres as at 5pm yesterday.
Pasir Mas recorded the highest number of victims, totalling 452 people from 139 families.
Wildan said three of the five main roads in Rantau Panjang here have been closed to light vehicles as the route is under more than 0.3m of water since last Wednesday.
Affected roads include Jalan Panglima Bayu-Rantau Panjang, Jalan Rantau Panjang Lama and Jalan Pengkalan Rakit-Batu Karang, he added. – Bernama, December 20, 2020
