MELAKA: The number of flood victims in the state soared from 73 people at noon today to 868 at 8pm, necessitating the opening of three additional flood relief centres, Bernama reported.
This morning, four evacuation centres were opened in Alor Gajah to accommodate the 73 people whose homes were inundated by flash floods following heavy rain from 1.30am to 5.30am today.
According to state Civil Defence Force director Lieutenant Colonel (PA) Effendy Ali, the three new flood evacuation centres are Balai Raya Kampung Beringin and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Belimbing Dalam in Alor Gajah; and Balai Raya Kampung Tanah Merah, Krubong in Melaka Tengah.
Alor Gajah has the lion’s share of flood victims, totalling 778 people, said Effendy, who is also state Disaster Management Committee chief secretariat.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Adly Zahari said the state government has instructed several barrage gates, which control the flow of water from rivers in Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah to the main dam here, to be opened to overcome flash floods.
“This is to enable the flow of river water to the dam, hence preventing the rivers from spilling their banks and causing flooding,” he told Bernama after visiting flood victims at Balai Raya Gadek, in Alor Gajah near here, tonight.
Adly also announced that the state government will provide aid of between RM200 and RM500 to flood victims.