RANTAU PANJANG: This border town was completely inundated after Sg Golok broke its banks, following heavy rains since Saturday.
Rising waters forced some 60 per cent of its residents to be evacuated, as daily activities in the border town including business at its duty-free zone came to a standstill.
However, it is learnt that some 1,000 people living along the river refused to evacuate.
Among the flood victim who refused to be move to the nearest relief centre were 35 people of seven families from Kampung Siput near Meranti.
Nasir Ahmad said he and his family would only move if the situation worsened.
"I am worried to leave my home, afraid of it being broken-in but I have made all the preparation such as food supplies and other necessities," said the 63-year-old who lived in the house with his wife, five children and two grandchildren.
Kelantan fire services and rescue director Nazili Mahmood said those living in the flood prone areas should move or otherwise, flood waters might pose a danger to their lives.
"I would like to advice them to move to the flood relief centres. We afraid we might face some difficulties in saving them if the water rises during the night," said Nazili who was visiting several flood affected areas here today.
Meanwhile, only Sg Golok here was above the danger mark at noon today while other rivers remained below the danger marks.
According to the state government's flood portal, Sg Golok’s level stood at 10.52m, 1.52m above its danger level of 9m as of noon today.
The portal also stated that the number of flood victims increased as of noon today to 8,313 people, from 2,763 families, taking shelter at 99 relief centres in nine districts.
The portal also stated that 31 roads were closed to traffic following the rise in flood waters which had affected Kelantan for the past five days.