KUALA TERENGGANU: Continuous heavy rain, which has worsened the flood situation in the state, has forced the evacuation of 2,358 people from 666 families in four districts, as of 2pm today.
This figure contrasts with the 1,432 people from 390 families who were evacuated from two districts, earlier in the morning.
The number of relief centres has also increased to 60 from 35 in Hulu Terengganu, Kemaman, Besut and Setiu.
State Civil Defence Force director Lt Colonel Che Adam Abdul Rahman said 1,294 people from 374 families were evacuated in Besut, compared with 1,098 people from 322 families at 35 relief centres in the morning.
In Setiu, Adam said 809 people from 217 families sought shelter at 20 relief centres, compared to 334 people from 68 families at 10 relief centres.
In Hulu Terengganu, 222 victims from 63 families were moved to five relief centres, while in Kemaman, 33 people from 12 families sought shelter at two relief centres.
Adam said the affected villages in Kemaman are Kampung Padang Kubu, Kampung Sungai Mas and Ladang Air Jernih.
In Hulu Terengganu, the worst affected villages are Kampung Kepah, Kampung Peladan, Kampung Kuala Ping, Kampung Tok Lawit and Kampung Peneh.
Meanwhile, Terengganu’s Education Department announced that thirteen schools in four districts will be closed tomorrow due to floods, a move which will affect 3,050 pupils, teachers and school staff.
Department director Shafruddin Ali Hussin said the thirteen schools comprise eight in Setiu, two each in Hulu Terenganu and Besut, and one in Kemaman.
“Of the eight schools in Setiu, two – SK Alur Lek Kasar and SK Merbau Menyusut – have been converted into temporary flood relief centres,” he said.
The other affected schools in Setiu are SK Kg Besut, SK Chalok, SK Langkap, SK Kg Buloh, SK Sg Las and SK Kg Bukit.
In Hulu Terengganu, SK Tengkawang and SK Matang are closed; in Besut, SK Kg Nangka is closed and SK Tembila has been converted into a flood relief centre; while in Kemaman, SK Padang Kubu is closed.
A total of 2,679 pupils, 307 teachers and 64 education department staff are affected, said Sharafuddin.
“The weather is unpredictable, and we hope for the best. Our officers are on alert to monitor the situation and will seek further assistance from the authorities if required,” he added.