KOTA BARU: Two more people drowned here yesterday, bringing the death toll in the east coast to four.
The four victims include a 20-month baby girl, who is still missing after slipping from her mother’s arm and falling into floodwaters during evacuation in Kampung Telekong, Kuala Krai at 3am on Thursday.
A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the latest flood casualty was Mohd Isa Hamat, 40, whose body was found by villagers in Kampung Kubang Rusa in Bukit Gading, Tanah Merah, yesterday.
He was believed to have been swept by strong currents when he went out to check his fishing net.
In another incident at 7.10am yesterday, an epileptic youth, Mohd Anuar Che Hassan, 17, drowned after he fell into floodwaters near his house in Kampung Teluk Jering, Tumpat. His body was recovered by his mother, Kalsom Ismail, 56.
On Thursday, Baharom Mohamad, 25, was the first casualty when his body was found floating in Kampung Limbat here.
Meanwhile, 16 people escaped when three houses were swept away by strong currents after a river embankment collapsed in Kampung Sungai Keladi, near Perupok, here yesterday. All the families affected failed to salvage anything.
Pengkalan Chepa Umno division chief Zaluzi Sulaiman said he would inform the Federal Development Department for action.
Several roads, including Jalan Kota Baru-Kuala Terengganu in Wakaf Bunut, Pasir Putih, and Jalan Banggol Kulim to Rantau Panjang Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex were closed while Jalan Kota Baru-Pantai Cahaya Bulan in Kampung Tikat and Jalan Kubang Kerian-Bachok in Kampung Banggu were off-limits to light vehicles.
Only three river-measuring points were reported to be above danger levels as of 6pm yesterday; Sungai Kelantan in Tanah Merah at 16.51m (danger level 16m), Sungai Kelantan in Kota Baru at 5.04m (danger level 5m) and Sungai Golok at Rantau Panjang at 10.41m (danger level 9m).
Bernama reported that three families in Kampung Belukar, Pulai Chondong, Machang were evacuated when their houses were submerged in 3m-deep water since Wednesday.
The village was flooded after water levels in Sungai Bagan and Sungai Kelantan overflowed following incessant rain since Sunday.