KUALA LUMPUR: Penang, Kedah and Perak were left reeling as floods following continuous heavy rain since Friday caused havoc in parts of the three states.
In Georgetown, Rudy Syareme Sheriffudin reports that floods in the state had so far seen two senior citizens becoming the first casualties which has also forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people, including 104 patients and four newborns at the Penang Hospital.
State Zone 1 senior operation commander Andul Rahman Norudin said the first victim, an octogenarian woman, was found at an old folks’ home at Jalan P. Ramlee.
The second body – that of a septuagenarian man – was found floating in a house at Kampung Masjid, Jalan Perak, at 8.30am.
“The Penang Hospital Medical centre pronounced both victims dead.
“The bodies will be sent to the Penang Hospital for post-mortems,” Andul said when met today.
Meanwhile, Penang’s city centre’s usual weekend bustle was nowhere to be seen, as major roads are still closed.
As of 9am, floodwaters have yet to subside, with Jalan Sungai Pinang and Jalan Masjid Negeri still inundated and impassable to vehicles.
Elsewhere, at least fifty villages are still in waist-high water, including Kampung Dodol, Kampung Jawa and Kampung Terus.
Over ten relief centres have been opened at Mengkuang Titi, Lubok Meriam, Guar Perahu, SK Penanti and Surau Kampung Tok Subuh, where about 200 flood victims have taken shelter.
In Alor Star, Embun Majid reports that non-stop rain since Friday morning had left several areas in Kedah inundated by floodwaters.
The worst affected areas are Kuala Muda and Yan districts, with more than 350 people forced to evacuate to 13 relief centres.
In a statement, the Civil Defence Force (APM) said 336 people were evacuated in Kuala Muda district, while 22 people were evacuated in Yan.
Several schools are among public buildings currently underwater, but the state Education Department has yet to issue any order for the schools to close.
Km 93.3 of the North-South Expressway (NSE) from Gurun to Sungai Petani, which was closed last night, was re-opened at 9.15am today – but road users have been advised to use Jalan Alor Setar–Butterworth as an alternative route.
In Yan, traffic near SK Singkir Darat has come to a halt due to a fallen tree.
Meanwhile, 28 hikers have been stranded near the Titi Hayun recreation area as they are unable to cross the river due to strong currents.
The group from the Perak Health Department were on their way down from Gunung Jerai after a day of hiking.
In Ipoh, Balqis Jazimah Zahari reports that heavy rain had triggered flash flooding in parts of central Perak, forcing dozens from their homes.
As of 8am, flood evacuees from two villages in Perak Tengah district number 123 people from 28 families, up from 110 people from 26 families on Saturday.
State Civil Defence deputy director Lt Col (PA) Zairil Anuar Zulmuji said the villagers, from Kampung Serapoh and Kampung Simpang Tiga, are taking shelter at Sekolah Kebangsaan Simpang Tiga.
“Based on our checks today, we found that the floodwaters have started to subside. We will keep everyone informed of the latest updates,” he said when contacted.