10,000 evacuated from Kemaman district

 

Roads in Chukai town have been closed, and Kota Bharu is expected to be affected next. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation on the East Coast, especially in Terengganu, has worsened with water levels rising in Chukai town, Kemaman, and more than 10,000 people from the district evacuated to flood relief centres.

Most of the roads in Chukai have been closed to light vehicles since 7pm, and traders have started moving their goods due to fears of a sudden rise in the water level if it continues to rain heavily.

Kelantan is also experiencing a similar situation as almost 6,000 people have been evacuated in the state so far, with the city of Kota Bharu expected to be hit by floods beginning midnight.

The floods in Kelantan today also killed a 20-year-old man, who fell from a boat while helping to transfer flood victims to a temporary evacuation centre in Kampung Manjor, Kuala Krai.

The body of Mohammad Hakimin Rahim was found by his family members at 8.30am where the victim was reported to have fallen from the boat, and he was also said to have been tired and suffering from cramps due to the cold weather while helping the villagers evacuate from early morning till night.

The latest flood reports from Terengganu stated that as of 8pm, 11,777 people from 2,947 families had been evacuated to relief centres, with Kemaman recording the highest number with 10,103 victims involving 2,469 families.

Floods in Terengganu now involve four districts namely, Kemaman; Dungun (1,334 victims); Hulu Terengganu (228 victims); and Besut (112 victims).

Five districts in Kelantan are currently affected by the floods, namely Kuala Krai; Jeli; Tanah Merah; Pasir Mas; and Gua Musang.

The welfare department said a total of 5,896 victims from 1,520 families were housed in 74 evacuation centres, Kuala Krai being the worse affected with 2,611 evacuees; Jeli (1,060); Tanah Merah (488); Pasir Mas (896); and Gua Musang (841).

In Pahang, more than 20,000 still remain at evacuation centres but the flood situation in nine districts is gradually recovering. The road from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur is still cut off at LPT1, and several other spots along the old route.

The situation in Johor and Perak is also improving, while in Beaufort, Sabah, the status quo remains with 35 people still at relief centres. - FMT