KUALA TERENGGANU: The number of evacuees in the state continues to drop as the flood situation gradually improves.
State Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt Colonel Che Adam A. Rahman said there are 904 people from 40 families taking shelter at 23 relief centres this morning, compared to 1,355 victims from 382 families at 25 relief centres last night.
Adam said Dungun, the fifth district to be hit by flood yesterday, has only two victims staying at its sole relief centre, compared to 55 victims from 24 families at three relief centres yesterday.
As of 8am, Adam said in Besut, 155 victims from 40 families are being housed at four relief centres, compared to 355 victims from 90 families at four relief centres last night.
He said in the worst-affected district of Hulu Teregganu, 410 victims from 136 families are taking shelter at eight relief centres, compared with 541 victims from 190 families at ten relief centres yesterday.
The number also decreased in Setiu, where evacuees are down to 153 victims from 32 families at four relief centres, compared with 199 victims at four relief centres last night.
In Kemaman, victims decreased to 184 from 38 families at six relief centres, compared with 205 victims from 43 families at the same relief centres last night.
Meanwhile, Terengganu’s Education Department announced that thirteen schools in four districts are closed today due to floods.
The closures affect 3,415 pupils, 379 teachers and 95 school staff.
Department director Shafruddin Ali Hussin said the thirteen schools comprise three in Setiu, six in Hulu Terengganu, three in Kemaman and one in Besut.
“All of the schools (are either inundated by) floods or converted into temporary flood relief centres,” he said today.
Affected schools in Setiu are SK Kg Besut, SK Sg Las and SK Kg Bukit.
In Hulu Terengganu, the schools are SK Kua, SK Bukit Tadok, SK Getang, SK Tengku Ampuan Intan, SM Imtiaz and SM Mahmudiah.
Shafruddin said in Besut, SK Tembila has been converted into a flood relief centre; while in Kemaman, SK Pasir Gajah, SK Seberang Tayor and SK RKT Seberang Tayor are closed.
“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 said, adding that the weather is unpredictable.