FLOOD SITUATION IN KELANTAN UNDER CONTROL, NO EMERGENCY DECLARATION NEEDED: DEPUTY STATE SECRETARY

KOTA BHARU, Nov 28 (Bernama) — There is no necessity to declare a flood disaster emergency in Kelantan as the flood situation remains under control, said Deputy State Secretary (Management) Datuk Ab Pattah Hasbullah.

He said an emergency would only be declared if the flood situation in the state worsens and becomes uncontrollable.

“It is still far too early to consider declaring an emergency. We hold daily disaster meetings at the state level.

“At meetings chaired by the State Secretary, we discuss the situation and will inform the Kelantan Menteri Besar before referring the matter to NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) and notifying the Prime Minister to determine whether an emergency is necessary,” he said.

He said this during a special press conference at the Kelantan State Disaster Operations Control Centre in Kota Darulnaim Complex here today.

Ab Pattah stated that although 10 districts in Kelantan have been affected by floods, the situation remains under control due to various disaster preparations made in advance.

“During the 2014 Bah Kuning (Yellow Flood) event, we declared an emergency because the water level at Tangga Krai reached 34.1 metres. Currently, the river level in that area stands at 10 metres, which is far below the danger level.

“Yes, some rivers in Kelantan have reached dangerous levels, but the situation is still manageable and far from the 2014 Bah Kuning disaster.

“When an emergency is declared, all assets and allocations will be managed by the federal government,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked about the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) warning siren that went viral on social media after sounding automatically three times at the Tambatan D’Raja observation tower near Sungai Kelantan today, Ab Pattah explained that it was due to a technical malfunction.

“The siren is managed by the JPS, and they are investigating the cause of the malfunction. The public is advised not to panic or speculate on the matter.

“Sungai Kelantan is currently at warning levels, but its water level is rising rapidly,” he said.

Commenting on whether the flood trend in Kelantan might repeat the scale of the 2014 Bah Kuning, he said that such a tragedy remains unlikely at this point.

“Viral images showing water levels reaching or submerging rooftops are not from Kelantan but from elsewhere,” he said, urging the public not to spread false news or images related to disasters.

Yesterday, the Meteorological Department issued a danger-level continuous heavy rain warning until tomorrow, expected to affect all of Kelantan and Terengganu as well as the Kuantan and Jerantut districts in Pahang.

— BERNAMA