THE flood in Kelantan reached a critical level as the number of evacuees continued to rise with 19,902 people in shelters at seven districts yesterday, compared with 14,508 people on Friday.
Pasir Mas district was the worst affected with 11,154 victims at 36 centres followed by Tumpat (3,861) and Kuala Krai (2,951).
According to the state flood operations room, the number of victims in Pasir Putih district dropped from 619 people to 603, Kota Baru from 1,019 people to 489 and Tanah Merah from 695 people to 466 while Machang recorded an increase from 362 to 389.
Water levels at two rivers were still above the danger level: Sungai Golok in Jenob measured at 23.71m (danger level 23.50m) while the Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang was at 10.26m (danger level 9m).
Two government clinics in Rantau Panjang were submerged in chest-level flood waters. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, who confirmed the matter at an event in Penang, said more doctors and nurses would be deployed to flood-hit areas to attend to the sick.
“Health Ministry personnel and I will visit the two clinics on Monday,” said Hilmi, while raising concerns about deteriorating hygiene at flood-hit areas.
“Children should not be playing in the flood water as it may be contaminated.”
The plight of flood victims received attention from many quarters, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the Kelantan royalty and a team from the Kemaman Umno Youth.
Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Dr Muhammad Fa-iz Petra visited victims at an evacuation centre at SK Gual Tinggi, Rantau Panjang yesterday.
His visit brought cheer to 530 families who had been staying at the centre since Wednesday after their homes were flooded.
The prince, who is also president of the Kelantan Islamic and Malay Custom Council (MAIK) presented RM300 to each victim.
Pasir Mas deputy district officer Ibrahim Bakri Mat Deris said Tengku Dr Muhammad Fa-iz assured the flood victims that MAIK would provide additional assistance to them if it was needed.