FLOODS: NUMBER OF EVACUEES IN KEDAH RISES TO 8,022 AS OF 4 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- The number of evacuees due to flooding in Kedah has continued to rise as of 4 pm, while those affected by the high-tide phenomenon in Selangor have been allowed to return home.

According to the Disaster Info portal of the Social Welfare Department (JKM), the number of evacuees in KEDAH has increased to 8,022 people involving 2,568 families and currently being housed in 40 temporary relief centres across five districts, up from 7,494 reported this morning.

Kota Setar district recorded the highest number of evacuees with 4,117 people, followed by Kubang Pasu (1,483), Pendang (1,434), Pokok Sena (841) and Bandar Baharu (147).

The Public Infobanjir website of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) reported that five rivers in the state are currently at dangerous water levels: Sungai Padang Terap in Kepala Batas; Sungai Bata in Kampung Bata in Kubang Pasu; Sungai Anak Bukit in Taman Aman; Sungai Anak Bukit at the TAR Bridge and Sungai Kedah at the Lebuhraya Bridge, Kota Setar.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited three relief centres that housed evacuees in Alor Setar.

In PERAK, the State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, in a statement, reported that as of 4 pm, 27 people from five families have been placed at the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Changkat Lobak, an increase from 16 people from three families this morning.

The state Public Works Department (JKR) reported that only one lane remains open along Jalan Kupang Gerik - Jeli in Hulu Perak due to a landslide. Additionally, FT147 Jalan Bagan Serai-Changkat Lobak in Kerian is open to heavy vehicles only.

In SELANGOR, Kuala Selangor district officer Mohd Raiz Radzuan said that the relief centre the Tanjong Karang Farmer’s Management Institute was closed at 12.38 pm today. 

The Kuala Selangor District Disaster chairman also confirmed that all 101 evacuees from 36 families have been allowed to return home, as the floods caused by the high-tide phenomenon have fully receded.

-- BERNAMA