Flood evacuations soar, with more heavy rain expected

 

A flood victim getting help from a police relief team in Kampung Kelewek, Tanah Merah, Kelantan. Heavy rain overnight caused flooding from 8am this morning. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The number of flood victims in Kelantan and Terengganu has soared to 986 this evening, more than triple the number reported earlier today.

Kelantan is worse off with 514 victims from 151 families being sheltered in 13 relief centres in Tanah Merah, Kuala Krai and Machang. In Terengganu, 472 victims from 127 families in Hulu Terengganu and Besut have been relocated to 14 shelters.

The floods are said to have been caused by continuous heavy rain in the east coast of the peninsula. This is the third time in over a month that parts of Kelantan and Terengganu have been hit by floods.

The two states were the worst-hit by monsoonal flooding in late November to early December, which was said to be the worst in a decade and led to over 150,000 people being evacuated from their homes.

The meteorological department has also forecast continuous heavy rain in several parts of the two east coast states tomorrow, Bernama reported.

The affected areas in Kelantan are Jeli, Tanah Merah, Machang and Kuala Krai, while the weather forecast also applies to Besut, Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Hulu Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu.

The department also warned of “severe level” continuous rain in Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Bachok, Pasir Puteh and Gua Musang in Kelantan; and Kuala Terengganu and Marang in Terengganu. - FMT