KUALA LUMPUR – The flood situation in Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Perak and Johor continue to worsen, with almost 50,000 people having been evacuated to temporary relief centres this morning.
In PAHANG, the number of evacuees rose to 27,073 from 7,278 families, who are housed at 275 relief centres in nine districts, with Temerloh recording a significant increase.
According to the Social Welfare Department’s disaster information portal, Temerloh has the highest number of evacuees at 9,998, followed by Maran (4,192), Lipis (2,528), Kuantan (2,334), Jerantut (2,069), Raub (2,006), Pekan (1,689), Bera (1,255) and Rompin (1,002).
In a statement, Anih Bhd, the concessionaire of East Coast Expressway Phase 1, said another section of expressway, namely Km 126.3 (Chenor-Temerloh) has been closed at 2.30am today due to floods, while Km 113 and Km 115 (Lanchang-Temerloh) are still impassable to vehicles.
The Drainage and Irrigation Department’s (DID) flood information portal reported that three rivers in the state have surpassed the warning level, namely Sg Jelai in Jeram Bungor, Lipis; Sg Kuantan at Pintasan Kuantan and Sg Pahang in four locations.
In TERENGGANU, the number of flood victims increased to 12,899 people as at 8am today, compared with 8,138 people at 3pm yesterday.
All the evacuees are being housed at 50 relief centres in the state.
Kemaman recorded the highest number of evacuees at 11,065, followed by Dungun (1,574), Hulu Terengganu (207) and Besut (53).
DID reported that two rivers in two districts still record a reading of above the danger level, namely Sg Kemaman at Rumah Pam Paya Paman at 6.67m (danger level 4m) and Sg Dungun at Jerangau bridge at 13.23m (danger level 12.5m).
In KELANTAN, the number of evacuees surged to 6,319 people from 1,726 families this morning, from 5,896 people involving 1,520 families yesterday. They are housed at 74 relief centres.
According to the disaster information portal, Kota Baru is the latest district to be hit by floods, with 13 victims evacuated.
The other affected districts are Kuala Krai with 3,063 evacuees, Pasir Mas (1,496), Tanah Merah (623), Jeli (609) and Gua Musang (515).
DID reported that as of this morning, seven rivers in the state, including Sg Galas in Limau Kasturi, Gua Musang; Sg Lebir in Tualang, Kuala Krai ; and Sg Kelantan in Kuala Krai have exceeded the danger level.
In PERAK, Perak Tengah became the latest district in the state to be struck by the floods, with a relief centre at Dewan Orang Ramai Kg Tg Aur opened to house nine people from three families.
As at 6am today, 359 people from 100 families are still housed at relief centres in the state.
A state Disaster Management Committee secretariat spokesman said of the total, 334 people are being housed at two relief centres in Hilir Perak, while the remaining 16 have been moved to a relief centre in Hulu Perak.
The disaster information portal reported that Sg Perak in Kuala Kenderong, Hulu Perak, and in Kg Gajah, Perak Tengah, recorded readings of above the warning level, at 112.43m and 6.54m, respectively, at 6am today.
In JOHOR, the number of evacuees dropped to 1,422 individuals from 363 families this morning, compared with 2,260 from 559 families yesterday.
Sixteen relief centres are still in operation, with five of them in Kota Tinggi; five in Mersing; three in Kluang; two in Segamat and one in Johor Baru.
Kluang has the highest number of evacuees at 688, followed by Mersing (350), Kota Tinggi (223), Segamat (89) and Johor Baru (72). – Bernama, January 8, 2021
