Flash floods hit Kuala Muda

A total of 581 victims from 144 families in the Kuala Muda district were affected by flash floods today.

Malaysia Civil Defence Force (MCDF ) officer for Kuala Muda, Capt Azahar Ahmad, said heavy rain occurred since 9pm yesterday until early this morning, which affected 10 villages in the district.

“However, no official evacuation centre was opened, and more than 30 personnel were assigned to help in the flood operations this time,” he said in a statement today.

The flood affected three villages in Gurun, four in Sungai Petani, and three in Merbok.

The worst affected areas were Kampung Padang Regent, Tikam Batu with 200 victims from 40 families, Kampung Sungai Badak with 120 victims (30 families), and Kampung Sungai Bongkok with 100 victims (30 families).

Meanwhile, in Kulim, continuous heavy rain forced the MCDF to continue to monitor areas which had the potential to be inundated, by deploying its personnel in two areas, namely Kulim and Bandar Baharu.

A Kulim MCDF spokesperson said so far only two houses in Kampung Padang Cina, Mukim Padang Cina were affected by the floods, and no evacuation centre has been set up.

Officers and men from the Civil Defence Emergency Response Team-Better Nation (CDERT) unit were also put on alert, and the number will be increased if the rain does not stop.

The Kulim MCDF also urged members of the public to report any incidence of flooding in the areas concerned by contacting 04-490 3746.

- Bernama