Floodwaters enter Pasir Puteh hospital in Kelantan

 

Parts of Hospital Tengku Anis (HTA) in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan were flooded following heavy rain which has been ongoing since last night.

Water started rising in the hospital compound last night and has entered parts of the emergency department’s pharmacy and wards.

State health director Dr Zaini Husin said water started entering the hospital at about 8.30pm yesterday.

"Hospital staff have carried electrical appliances like refrigerators and vaccine storage facilities to safety.

"We are monitoring the situation to decide whether we need to move in-patients to other hospitals," he said when contacted.

He said patients who came to the hospital seeking care were redirected to other hospitals unless they were emergency cases.

As of last night, more than 9,200 people have been evacuated to relief centres, as floods swept Kelantan.

Most flood victims are located in Pasir Mas, followed by Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Machang, Kota Bharu, Bachok, Tumpat, and Jeli, according to government data.

Several rivers in the state have risen to "dangerous" levels, as of noon today, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage live website showed.

They are:

• Sungai Lebir, Sungai Kelantan, and Sungai Nal in Kuala Krai

• Sungai Lanas in Jeli

• Sungai Golok in Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, and Tumpat

• Sungai Semerak in Bachok

This means the rivers are overflowing their banks and evacuation is advised, the department said.

The department also warns of "dangerous" levels in most rivers in Terengganu as well as Sungai Keratong in Rompin, Pahang.

More than 11,000 people have been evacuated in Terengganu.

10 hospitals running as usual

Meanwhile, Zaini also said 10 hospitals in Kelantan, including the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, are still operating as usual and not affected by the monsoon floods.

Bernama quoted him saying preparations had been done at those hospitals to ensure they were provided with basic supplies and capable of running during flood situations.

“If any of the hospitals were cut off by road due to the floods, resource assistance or patient transfer can be done by air. We have identified a suitable place for a helicopter landing if the need arises.

“In fact, for critical patients in need of further treatment, we have made preparations for them to be transferred earlier to hospitals that were not affected by floods,” he told Bernama when contacted today.