OFFICERS FROM JERTIH, BESUT FIRE AND RESCUE STATIONS RECALLED DUE TO WORSENING FLOODS

JERTIH, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Officers from the Jertih and Besut Fire and Rescue Stations who are on leave have been instructed to return to duty and work on 24-hour shifts starting today, to evacuate flood victims, following worsening flood conditions in Besut.

Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director (Operations) Muhammad Basri Kamarazaman said those recalled were among the 20 per cent of personnel allowed year-end leave.

“We have also deployed two Northeast Monsoon Rapid Emergency Deployed (RED) teams from the Jalan Kota and Kemaman Fire and Rescue Stations to affected areas,” he said when met by reporters while inspecting the flood situation at Kampung Padang Landak, here today.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) rescued a senior citizen with chronic asthma who was trapped at home as floodwaters rapidly rose in Kampung Gong Penaga earlier this morning.

Mat Hassan Zakaria, 64, was assisted by APM personnel onto a boat around 10 am, along with his daughter, Siti Rohani, 39, and three grandchildren aged between two and 11. They were transported to the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at Kampung Lay Out Tok Has.

“I was worried because my asthma requires constant use of an inhaler, and it would become increasingly difficult if water entered the house,” Mat Hassan said when met by Bernama.

Meanwhile, Bernama stringer Mohd Taha Yaacob had to use a boat to cover the floods in Besut as floodwaters surrounded his house in Kampung Tok Has.

Heavy rains caused low-lying areas in several villages in Besut, including Kampung Seberang Jertih, Kampung Padang Luas and Kampung Lak Lok, to be inundated, forcing residents to evacuate to PPS.

According to data from the Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat (JPBNT), Besut is currently the worst-affected district, with 1,102 victims from 304 families sheltering in 20 PPS.

As of 4 pm today, Terengganu recorded a total of 1,851 flood victims from 515 families across five affected districts, including Setiu, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, and Marang.

-- BERNAMA