ALOR STAR – Seven families had to be placed at a temporary relief centre after two villages were hit by flash floods in Baling last night.
Civil Defence Force district officer Rasidah Kassim said the two villages affected were Kg Iboi and Kg Badang in the Kupang sub-district.
“The seven families were placed at the Haji Hassan Samah Hall relief centre, which was opened at 9pm after their homes were inundated by floodwaters following a heavy downpour yesterday afternoon.
“However, the total number of victims is still being ascertained,” she said in a statement.
She said heavy rain that started at 2pm continued for three hours, causing Sg Kupang to overflow into the settlements of residents living near the riverbank.
She said the defence force received a report of the flash floods at about 5pm, and after mobilising personnel to the scene, found that several houses had been flooded.
Rasidah said Sg Kupang’s water level had also surpassed the Bailey bridge in Kg Iboi, which forced police to order the bridge to be closed temporarily.
“Residents along the riverbank and low-lying areas are also advised to remain vigilant and leave their homes if the water level continues to rise,” she said.
The defence force and other relevant agencies will continue to monitor the situation in the area from time to time, she added.
The number of victims who were evacuated due to the floods in Kupang yesterday then increased to 58 people this morning.
CDF deputy officer Lieutenant Dzulhaidy Mohd Khalil said the victims, involving 19 families, are from Kg Padang Empang.
“They are being accommodated at the relief centre at the Kg Padang Empang open hall, which was opened at 9pm yesterday,” he said in a statement here today. – Bernama, July 29, 2022
