KUALA LUMPUR – More people were being evacuated due to the floods in Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perak, while the situation in Johor and Sabah is reported to be improving with the drop in the number of evacuees.
In Pahang, the number of flood victims seeking shelter at 281 temporary relief centres (PPS) in nine districts in the state rose to 24,257 people this morning.
According to the Welfare Department’s (JKM) Info Bencana portal, Temerloh recorded the highest number of evacuees at 5,764 people, followed by Maran (5,275), Kuantan (3,461), Lipis (2,551), Jerantut (2,455), Raub (2,182), Rompin (986), Pekan (859) and Bera (724).
It also reported that the water level for Sg Pahang in the Bera, Maran, Kuantan, Lipis, Jerantut and Temerloh districts had surpassed the danger level.
Meanwhile, the concessionaire of the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT1), ANIH Bhd, in a statement, said that Km 113 and Km 115 are still closed in both directions due to the flood.
It said Km 84 (Persimpangan Lanchang to Persimpangan Karak), LPT1 Kuantan-bound, is also closed to traffic.
In Kelantan, the number of evacuees in five flood-affected districts in the state increased to 4,829 people compared with 2,142 people yesterday evening.
All are currently housed at 64 PPS.
According to JKM’s InfoBencana, Jeli still recorded the highest number of victims with 1,688 people, followed by Kuala Krai (1,455), Gua Musang (775 mangsa), Pasir Mas (469) and Tanah Merah (442).
Meanwhile, infobanjir.water.gov.my reported that six rivers in the state recorded readings exceeding the danger level.
The rivers are Sg Lebir in Tualang, Kuala Krai 36.46m (danger level is 35m), Sg Kelantan in Kuala Krai 28.60m (25m) and Sg Kelantan in Kusial, Tanah Merah 18.17m (16m), Sg Golok in Jenob 23.67m (23.50m), Sg Golok in Rantau Panjang 10.63m (9m) and Sg Galas in Dabong 40.96m (38m).
In Terengganu, Chief Secretariat of the State Disaster Management Committee Lt Col (PA) Che Adam A. Rahman said the number of flood victims surged to 5,243 people at 8am today, from 910 people at 3pm yesterday.
He said the victims are taking shelter at 39 PPS.
Kemaman became the worst-hit district when 4,074 victims were evacuated, followed by Dungun (849), Hulu Terengganu (219), Besut (94) and Setiu (seven).
The Drainage and Irrigation Department reported that seven rivers in five districts have surpassed the danger level.
The rivers are Sg Kemaman in Air Putih, which recorded water levels of 14.32m (danger level is 14m); Sg Tebak in Kg Tebak at 19.6m (danger level 18.5m); Sg Telemong in Kuala Ping at 20.6m (19.7m); Sg Berang in Menerong at 25.12m (24.5m).
Sg Besut at Jambatan Keruak recorded 36.63m (35m); Sg Dungun in Pasir Raja at 37.82m (37.5m); and, Sg Nerus in Kg Langkap, Setiu at 21.21m (21m).
In Perak, Hulu Perak is the latest district to be hit by floods when 16 people were evacuated to one PPS, bringing the total number of evacuees to 450 people, involving five districts.
A state Disaster Management Committee Secretariat spokesman said Hilir Perak recorded the highest number of flood victims at 409 people and Kampar (25), while the flood situation in Muallim has fully recovered after another PPS was closed yesterday.
In Johor, the number of evacuees dropped to 2,313 people when six more PPS were closed, bringing the number of relief centres down to 20.
Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan in a statement said Kota Tinggi recorded the highest number of victims with 1,110 people.
He also said that Jalan Mawai Lama, Kota Tinggi and Jalan Haji Suhud in Johor Baru are still closed to vehicles.
In Sabah, the Civil Defence Force in a statement said although waters have begun to recede, the number of flood victims at Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Dun Banir in Beaufort remains at 34 people. – Bernama, January 7, 2020
