SUNGAI PETANI: Over 100 people have been evacuated to three Temporary Flood Relief Centres (PPS) yesterday evening after four subdistricts in Kuala Muda were hit by flash floods following several hours of heavy rainfall.
Kuala Muda Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) officer Azahar Ahmad said all the 110 victims from 35 families are taking shelter at the Dewan Orang Ramai PPS in Kampung Bukit Belah, Dewan SJK (C) Min Terk PPS and Masjid Al-Huda Kampung Jerung PPS.
"Dewan SJK (C) Min Terk PPS was activated at 10pm to provide shelter for 84 victims from two villages namely Kampung Belakang SJK (C) Min Terk and Kampung Haji Wahab.
"The other 20 victims from six families are being housed at Dewan Umno Kampung Bukit Belah PPS while Masjid Al-Huda Kampung Jerung PPS was activated at 3am today to provide shelter for six victims in a family," he said in a statement.
Azahar added 15 settlements in the four subdistricts of Gurun, Sungai Petani, Sungai Pasir and Sidam Kiri were affected following several hours of heavy rainfall beginning 5.30pm, compounded by the high tide phenomenon.
The affected settlements are Kg Batu 5, Gurun; Taman Bersatu, Taman Widuri, Taman Teratai, Taman Kenari Baru 2, Taman Songket, Taman Berlian, Kampung Bukit Belah, Kampung Batu 2, Kampung Haji Wahab, Taman Ambangan Heights, Taman Sari, Kampung Belakang SJK (C) Min Terk, and Kampung Watt Siam in Sungai Petani; - Kampung Baru Bakar Arang in Sungai Pasir; and Kampung Jerung in Sidam Kiri.
"The affected areas were inundated by floodwaters between 0.5 and 1 metre, causing damages to the victims' properties and belongings.
"As of this morning, all the floodwaters have subsided," he said.
Meanwhile, Sungai Petani Member of Parliament Taufiq Johari said he had visited the affected areas yesterday evening before leaving to Kuala Lumpur to attend the Parliament session which resumes today.
"I have rushed to the locations to check on the situation and am getting the report from APM. Alhamdulillah everything is under control, the affected victims have been evacuated.
"I have asked my officer to immediately distribute meals to the victims. Thank you to APM, volunteer firefighters, the assemblyman, Rela, traffic police and all parties that were involved in assisting the victims," he said in a Facebook posting.