More than 90,000 displaced by floods, highest figure in nation’s history

Kelantan is one of the worst states hit by floods. – Pic courtesy of www.mrjocko.com, December 25, 2014.

Incessant rain and rising floods waters raging through five states in the peninsula has led to the evacuation of more than 90,000 people – a figure which might be the highest in Malaysia's history.

National news agency Bernama reported that 90,250 people were evacuated this morning with the highest number in Kelantan at 32,343, followed by Terengganu (28,991), Pahang (24,316), Perak (4,335) and Perlis (265).  The east coast states suffer annual floods but this has been the worst in living memory. The last big floods in the country was in 1971, with the worst-hit are being the Klang Valley.

Putrajaya has approved an immediate allocation of RM50 million for flood-hit states, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Husni Hanadzlah was quoted as saying by Bernama.

He said the allocation would be channelled to the state development office in the affected states and distributed immediately.

In Kelantan, 5,190 people were moved out of their homes overnight to add to the 27,153 already evacuated as of last night, according to the state government flood portal.

The latest evacuees were from the Tanah Merah and Kota Baru districts. Kota Baru has come to a standstill after Sungai Kelantan burst its banks there yesterday.

Seven of the eight other districts in the state – Gua Musang, Jeli, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Tumpat – are also affected by floods.

Kelantan has closed 37 roads as of today.

In Terengganu, Kemaman is the worst affected district with 19,400 evacuees.

In Pahang, Kuantan district had the highest number of evacuees at 14,350.

Meanwhile, plans to evacuate local and foreign tourists from the flood relief centre in Kuala Tahan today had to be shelved because of adverse weather conditions.

Bernama quoted Jerantut district officer Ali Syahbana Shahabuddin as saying rain and fog forced the authorities to postpone the evacuation operation to tomorrow.

The 102 tourists at the flood relief centre at SM Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah had earlier been evacuated from the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort.

"Three helicopters from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the Fire and Rescue Department and a private one had been ready to evacuate the tourists," Ali Syahban said. 

The 102 tourists had been stranded at the Mutiara Taman Negara Resorts after heavy rains caused the water levels of Sungai Tembeling to rise.

In Perak, 4,335 people were evacuated in the Kuala Kangsar, Hulu Perak and Perak Tengah districts. – December 25, 2014.

- TMI