Flood eases in Terengganu, more evacuated in Kelantan

2009/11/07

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sat: As flood waters eased slightly in Terengganu, several victims in evacuation centres were allowed to return home this morning.

The number of evacuees in Kelantan, however, increased from 1,210 yesterday to 2,465 today.

Overall there are 5,146 people still in evacuation centres in the two states, including 2,681 in Terengganu.

A Terengganu National Security Division flood operations room spokesman said Besut was the worst affected district, with 1,342 people being evacuated, followed by Hulu Terengganu (570), Dungun (475) and Setiu (294).

"The number of evacuees, however, is decreasing as some of them have been allowed to return home this morning," he said.

All major roads are passable, except for several village roads in Setiu which are closed to light vehicles.

CHAOS: A restaurant in Taman Gelora, Tanjung Api, in Kuantan is still in shambles after being hit by strong winds and big waves for the past two days. Flotsam and jetsam washed ashore littered the beach and strong wind brought down at least 10 cassuarina trees.

The Terengganu Irrigation and Drainage Department's operations room said only the water level in three areas remained at dangerous levels, namely Sungai Besut at Jerteh bridge; Kampung Langkap in Setiu; and Sungai Setiu in Kampung Bukit.

Meanwhile, Kampung La residents in Hulu Besut said the flood in the area was as bad as the flood 10 years ago.

Zakaria Musa, who is Kampung La's village security and development (JKKK) chairman said almost 80 per cent of houses in the village were inundated with flood waters up to the roof.

"We lost many of our belongings and many of the victims were trapped in their homes before being rescued," he said.

Kaswadi Harun, 43, said the experience 10 years ago had prepared the villagers to face the current situation.

In KOTA BARU, state flood operations control centre chief Mamat Yusof said 845 people are still in evacuation centres in Rantau Panjang, Kuala Krai (519), Tanah Merah ( 679), Machang (279), Pasir Puteh (27), Bachok (62) and Gua Musang (54).

"All the 131 people evacuated in Jeli have been allowed to return home this morning," he said.

Among roads still closed to all types of vehicle are Jalan Tanah Merah-Kusial, Pasir Mas-Kubang Rambutan, Rantau Panjang and Pohon Tanjong (old Rantau Panjang road) and Jalan Jedok Pasir Mas in Kampung Panglima Bayu.

The main Kota Baru-Kuala Krai road in Kampung Sungai Durian is open only to heavy vehicles.

Several roads in low-lying areas along Sungai Kelantan in Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan near Kampung Banggol and Kijang air are inundated with floodwater but they are still passable to vehicles.

The water levels in Sungai Golok in Jenob and Rantau Panjang, and Sungai Kelantan in Kusial, Tanah Merah, are still above the danger level.

The flood has also subsided in Perlis, with all 245 evacuees allowed to return home this morning.

All evacuation centres in Titi Tinggi Hilir, Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Bertangkup and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Datuk Jaafar Hassan had already been closed, executive councillor Mansor Jusoh said.

Meanwhile, in KUANTAN, the authorities are bracing for any eventuality, with 782 Fire and Rescue Department personnel and another 500 from the Civil Defence Department ready to be deployed in the event of a flood. -- BERNAMA