FLOOD VICTIMS IN KEDAH, PENANG DROP, WHILE NUMBERS RISE IN PERLIS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- The number of flood victims in temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in Kedah and Penang has slightly dropped this afternoon, while Perlis has recorded an increase.

In KEDAH, the State Department of Social Welfare (JKM) director, Datuk Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin, reported that the number of flood victims in six districts - Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kulim, Pokok Sena, Kuala Muda and Kota Setar - has dropped to 2,108 individuals from 554 families currently being sheltered in 15 PPS, down from 2,194 this morning.

“The number of flood victims in the Pokok Sena district has decreased to 745 victims from 202 families relocated to the two PPS that opened yesterday, while in Kota Setar, there are 575 victims from 120 families housed in three PPS.

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“In Pendang, 326 victims from 77 families are placed in two PPS, while in Kubang Pasu, 300 victims from 98 families are in four PPS,” he said in a statement today.

He also said that in Kulim, 108 victims from 34 families are sheltering in three PPS and in Kuala Muda, 54 victims from 23 families are placed in one PPS.

Meanwhile, according to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS)’ official website publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my, another river in the state is at a dangerous level, namely Sungai Kedah at the Kota Setar Highway Bridge, bringing the total number of rivers at dangerous levels to nine.

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The other eight rivers in Kedah that have exceeded the danger level include Sungai Padang Terap in Kepala Batas; Sungai Bata in Kampung Bata; Sungai Laka in Kampung Padang Pasir, Kubang Pasu; Sungai Anak Bukit in Taman Aman; and at the TAR Bridge, Kota Setar.

Sungai Titi Kerbau in Kubur Panjang, Pendang; Sungai Perik in Kampung Perik, Padang Terap; and Sungai Gurun in Kampung Perupok, Yan are also at risk.

In PENANG, the number of flood victims in 10 PPS across three districts - Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT), and Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) - has decreased to 623 individuals as of 3.11 pm, down from 635 this morning.

According to a report of the Penang Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, the SPU district still has the highest number of flood victims, with 430 individuals from 115 families sheltered in four PPS namely Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Padang Menora, SK Lahar Yooi, Sekolah Agama Rakyat Nyior Sebatang, and the Labuh Banting Flood Evacuation Centre.

According to the secretariat, in the SPT district, four PPS have been opened, accommodating 125 victims from 32 families at Sekolah Rendah Islam Maahad At Tarbiah Guar Jering, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Permatang Pasir, SMK Permatang Rawa and SK Seri Penanti.

The secretariat also reported that in the SPS district, 68 victims from 25 families are sheltered in the Dewan MPKK Sanglang and the Sungai Bakap Multipurpose Hall.

However, a PPS at the Dewan Orang Ramai Bukit Teh, which previously housed 34 victims from 11 families, was closed at noon today after residents were allowed to return to their homes.

As of 3 pm, several areas in the SPU district are still experiencing heavy rain and strong winds, with large waves crashing against the rows of shops at Pantai Bersih and Bagan Ajam.

In PERLIS, the number of flood victims has risen to 45 individuals from 15 families as of 2 pm today, compared to 41 individuals this morning. They are currently housed in two PPS at SK Arau and SK Sena in Kangar.

Perlis Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt Col (PA) Mohd Izaimi Md Daud, said that there are currently 12 flood victims from seven families at the PPS SK Sena, while SK Arau houses 33 individuals from eight families.

“These flood victims are from Kampung Titi Besi in Arau and Kampung Tok Kandang in Kangar,” he said in a statement today.

According to the official JPS’ website, the water level of the Sungai Gial in Arau has recorded 8.88 metres, which exceeds the warning level as of 2 pm today.

-- BERNAMA