More than 300 evacuated after rivers overflow in Kelantan

2009/11/06

KOTA BARU, Fri: Kuala Krai and Pasir Mas were two areas hit by floods in Kelantan and 300 people were evacuated since the afternoon when rivers Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok overflowed.

The chief officer of the state floods operations room, Mohd Anis Hussein, said 130 people were evacuated in Kuala Krai and 190 in Pasir Mas.

"The water level of Sungai Golok at Jenob, Tanah Merah and at Rantau Panjang has risen above the danger level. At Jenob it was 24.52m where the danger level is 23.5m and at Rantau Panjang it is 9.94m where the danger level is 9m," he said.

Mohd Anis said the readings at several parts of Sungai Kelantan were also reported to be reaching danger levels following heavy rains since early this morning.

However, no loss of life was reported or reports of road closure due to flooding.

"Flood victims have been evacuated to schools, offices and suraus converted into temporary evacuation centres and some may have also moved to their relatives' homes.

The weather in Kelantan now is overcast with intermittent rain.

Meanwhile, the state Fire and Rescue Services Department director, Azmi Osman, said 540 personnel were on stand-by to help flood victims.

He said leave would be frozen to face any eventuality if the flood situation worsened. -- BERNAMA