MACHANG: Nearly 100 villagers in Kampung Lepan Peringat near Temangan were left stranded after the main road that connects the village with Kampung Bukit Besi was submerged following the heavy rain which lashed the village since yesterday.
It is believed that water flowing down from a nearby hill had flooded the key route out of the village, which is occupied by 15 families.
Following the incident, a team from the Machang Fire and Rescue Department was deployed to the scene today to monitor the situation.
According to Machang’s Fire and Rescue station chief, Nik Ahmad Afsham Nik Pa, the villagers called for help at about 8.30am.
“The incident also meant some 20 pupils could not attend school today,” he said.
He said his men have been stationed in the area to monitor the situation and to ensure the safety of the villagers.
Over in Rantau Panjang, it has been reported that all rivers in Kelantan continue to swell following heavy rains in the state since last Friday.
According to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s online portal, Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang and Sungai Kelantan in Kusial were above the danger level. As of 2pm today, Sungai Golok was recorded at 10.24m, which is 1.24m above the danger level of 9m, and Sungai Kelantan measured at 16.44m, which is 0.44m of its danger level of 16m.
Other rivers were peaked above warning levels and alert marks. Rivers on the rise include Sungai Galas in Dabong, and Sungai Kelantan in Kuala Krai and at the Sultan’s Pier.
Even so, the number of flood victims dropped slightly from 1,284 people this morning to 1,201 as of 2pm.
The evacuees from 350 families are now taking shelter at 24 flood relief centres in five districts in the state.