Over 1,600 evacuated again after relief centres hit by floods

 

Many areas in Terengganu that had never been affected were hit by floods this time around. (Bernama pic)

PERMAISURI: A total of 1,641 people seeking shelter at 15 relief centres in Terengganu had to be moved to other locations after the centres were affected by rising flood waters yesterday.

Terengganu police chief Rohaimi Isa said it involved two relief centres in Kemaman, five each in Besut and Hulu Terengganu, and three in Setiu.

He said the worsening floods in the state had made it difficult for the authorities and rescue agencies to carry out evacuation missions.

“We hope all the victims can remain patient because the evacuation process will take time. We are trying to do it quickly and safely,” he said after visiting flood victims at SK Mangkuk near here.

Rohaimi said apart from a lack of heavy-duty equipment, the evacuation process was also facing constraints as many places were hit by floods, including those that had never been affected before.

Therefore, he said the focus would be on critical areas with chronic patients, pregnant mothers and the elderly who needed immediate evacuation.

“The flood this time is different because some relief centres have also been submerged. Many areas that have never been flooded before are also affected.

“We have enough manpower in terms of rescue personnel from the police, fire and rescue department and the civil defence force, we just need bigger equipment. Yesterday, the management of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project sent 16 five-tonne trucks to assist us,” he said.

In the meantime, he reminded parents to monitor their children and prevent them from playing in floodwaters. - FMT