JITRA: The number of flood evacuees in Kedah soared yesterday with more than 1,000 people from the Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar and Pendang districts forced to seek shelter at eight relief centres after their homes were submerged by waist-deep water.
Kubang Pasu recorded the highest number of evacuees with 327 families.
They were temporarily relocated to Kampung Tebing Community Hall, SM Changloon, Kampung Kubang Betong Community Hall, SK Binjal and Kampung Lahar Community Hall.
Among the affected villages in the Kubang Pasu district were Kampung Bata, Kampung Biak, Kampung Paya Tok Teh, Kampung Paya Kerchut, Kampung Manggoi and Kampung Lahar.
It was followed by Kota Setar, where 10 families sought shelter at Surau Kampung Lapangan Terbang and SRJK (C) Soon Ching.
Among the affected villages in the district were Kampung Bukit Pinang, Kampung Seri Pasir and Kampung Lapangan Terbang.
One relief centre was opened at SK Kampung Baru in Pendang yesterday and two families from Kampung Padang Tok Sedau sought temporary shelter there.
Flood victim Shahizan Ahmad, 43, from Kampung Biak, said the first thing that crossed his mind when his home was inundated by water was to save his three goats.
Shahizan said when the water from Sungai Palong overflowed, he checked on his goats and moved them to a safer place.
“I am grateful the goats are safe. I made a float using water containers to keep the goats safe,” he said, adding that it was the third time his home was hit by floods since 2010.
Another victim, Roslan Mustafa, 48, said he managed to move his belongings to higher ground when the nearby river overflowed.